Paramedics David Swank, Mark Guimont, Doug Goodwin, and Emergency Medical TechnicianIntermediate Ken Ettlemyer completed 52 hours of tactical training to assist the SERT team. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Emergency Response Team (SERT) responds to high-risk situations such as hostage rescue and suspects who have barricaded themselves from police.

"We don't respond to nice calls," said Cherokee County Sheriff's Deputy Sgt. Wes Foster about responding with the SERT team. "When the SERT team goes out, there's a chance somebody might get hurt."

To better protect those who hold the responsibility of serving and protecting the public, Upstate Carolina Medical Center (UCMC) has funded specialized tactical training for four of its Emergency Medical Services personnel.

"They will be serving on the county SERT team as medical support for officers or anyone else who might be injured," said John Gelok, director of UCMC Emergency Medical Services. "The hospital felt it was another good way to help the community."

Paramedics Doug Goodwin, Mark Guimont, David Swank and Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate Ken Ettlemyer completed the 52 hours of training over a 5-day period in Orlando earlier this month. Ettlemyer is currently studying for certification at the paramedic level.

"We are trying to aid the Sheriff's Office SERT team," Goodwin said. "We hope nothing ever happens to any of them, but we want to be prepared. Ninety percent of combat deaths occur in the field before treatment at a medical facility. It's imperative to provide that care as soon as possible."

The medics trained for tactical building entry, providing medical care under fire, waterborne rescue, night operations, hostage survival, evacuation care and tactical movements. They also experienced a gas chamber without a mask and received information on methamphetamine labs and the dangers they pose to the public and police.

Responding under the dangerous conditions bring with them unique circumstances. The medics wear a vest containing limited supplies.

"You can't carry the same mentality working with a SERT team. Your patient care and assessment changes because you have very limited resources," Goodwin said. "They trained us on light discipline. Operating at night you have to be careful to use light. You don't want to illuminate yourself, you have to do patient assessment in the dark."

There are 12 full-time sheriff's deputies who serve on the SERT team with assistance from four support members.