Support Functions
The Special Medical Response Team has expanded its capabilities over the years. Currently, SMRT provides specialized advanced medical support to various disciplines/agencies.
Mine Medical Support
In the event of a mine rescue incident, SMRT has a cadre of advanced medical providers (physicians, nurse practicioner, and paramedics) that are supported by logisticians with the training to supplement the mine rescue teams of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Bureau of Deep Mine Safety. These members have taken the new miner training that any person wishing to become a miner must complete. After completion of the new miner training, the members moved on to the specialized training that the industry's mine rescue team members must complete. This training focuses on the usage of the Draeger BG4 closed circuit breathing apparatus, rescue tactics, plus patient packaging and removal techniques. In addition to the membership that has taken the specialized training, the other individuals utilize their experience to provide advanced medical care topside to mine rescue personnel, other responders, and others involved directly and indirectly with the mine incident.
State Medical Assistance Team (S-MAT)
In the event that a large scale incident occurs within the Commonwealth, SMRT has been contracted as S-MAT 1 (previously known as Indiana SMRT or State Medical Response Team) through the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) Office of Public Health Preparedness (OPHP). The function of the S-MAT team is broad and not limited to a specific function. The thought is to utilize the experience that is brought to the team through the many providers and essentially create a field-based emergency department. SMRT also assists the Region 4 EMS Strike Team that is sponsored by Emergency Medical Services Institute (EMSI) with the staffing of their mobile hospitals.
Urban Search And Rescue Medical Support
With an incident involving individuals trapped in a confined space and susceptable to crush injury, SMRT provides medical support to the Region 13 Urban Search And Rescue Strike Team (PA-ST 1). The team is staffed with its own medical specialists that have completed the FEMA USAR training that have the responsibility for the initial medical support to victims and responders effected by the incident. SMRT brings its specialized training and experience of crush injury from the mining industry to help supplement the medical specialists in the austere environment. In additioin to providing support to PA-ST 1, SMRT has members that are on the Pennsylvania Task Force 1 (PA-TF 1) of the FEMA National Urban Search And Rescue System in the Medical Team Manager and Medical Specialist positions.
Tactical Medical Support
With the concern of law enforcement officers being crucial during events such as high risk warrants, SMRT has entered into an agreement with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) of the Pittsburgh Field Office. The members are not law enforcement trained and do not carry a weapon, The primary function is to stage with the SWAT team near the incident location to be a standby asset if a medical or trauma incident should occur, SMRT also functions as the primary provider for medical care to the officers while on deployment.
Advanced Life Support Squad
With the focus of SMRT's capabilities being advanced medicine in the prehospital enviroment, the team meets is certified as an Advanced Life Support (ALS) Squad through PA DOH Burear of Emergency Medical Services. With the team's mission being to supplement first responders, SMRT has no primary jurisdiction to provide EMS care but is designated as a support agency for across southwest PA and the rest of the Commonwealth,
Mine Medical Support
In the event of a mine rescue incident, SMRT has a cadre of advanced medical providers (physicians, nurse practicioner, and paramedics) that are supported by logisticians with the training to supplement the mine rescue teams of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Bureau of Deep Mine Safety. These members have taken the new miner training that any person wishing to become a miner must complete. After completion of the new miner training, the members moved on to the specialized training that the industry's mine rescue team members must complete. This training focuses on the usage of the Draeger BG4 closed circuit breathing apparatus, rescue tactics, plus patient packaging and removal techniques. In addition to the membership that has taken the specialized training, the other individuals utilize their experience to provide advanced medical care topside to mine rescue personnel, other responders, and others involved directly and indirectly with the mine incident.
State Medical Assistance Team (S-MAT)
In the event that a large scale incident occurs within the Commonwealth, SMRT has been contracted as S-MAT 1 (previously known as Indiana SMRT or State Medical Response Team) through the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) Office of Public Health Preparedness (OPHP). The function of the S-MAT team is broad and not limited to a specific function. The thought is to utilize the experience that is brought to the team through the many providers and essentially create a field-based emergency department. SMRT also assists the Region 4 EMS Strike Team that is sponsored by Emergency Medical Services Institute (EMSI) with the staffing of their mobile hospitals.
Urban Search And Rescue Medical Support
With an incident involving individuals trapped in a confined space and susceptable to crush injury, SMRT provides medical support to the Region 13 Urban Search And Rescue Strike Team (PA-ST 1). The team is staffed with its own medical specialists that have completed the FEMA USAR training that have the responsibility for the initial medical support to victims and responders effected by the incident. SMRT brings its specialized training and experience of crush injury from the mining industry to help supplement the medical specialists in the austere environment. In additioin to providing support to PA-ST 1, SMRT has members that are on the Pennsylvania Task Force 1 (PA-TF 1) of the FEMA National Urban Search And Rescue System in the Medical Team Manager and Medical Specialist positions.
Tactical Medical Support
With the concern of law enforcement officers being crucial during events such as high risk warrants, SMRT has entered into an agreement with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) of the Pittsburgh Field Office. The members are not law enforcement trained and do not carry a weapon, The primary function is to stage with the SWAT team near the incident location to be a standby asset if a medical or trauma incident should occur, SMRT also functions as the primary provider for medical care to the officers while on deployment.
Advanced Life Support Squad
With the focus of SMRT's capabilities being advanced medicine in the prehospital enviroment, the team meets is certified as an Advanced Life Support (ALS) Squad through PA DOH Burear of Emergency Medical Services. With the team's mission being to supplement first responders, SMRT has no primary jurisdiction to provide EMS care but is designated as a support agency for across southwest PA and the rest of the Commonwealth,