Special Operations

S.T.O.R.M.

Cabarrus County EMS fields a specialized response team known as S.T.O.R.M. (Special Tactical Operations Response Medics). The team is made up of highly trained paramedics with a variety of experience and specialties. The team's primary response mission includes disaster response, tactical medical support, mass casualty incident management and spectator event coverage. The team began in 1994 with 7 members and limited training. Members now are trained in many areas to include tactical EMS, land search, high level rescue, confined space, water rescue and more. The concept of the team is to have paramedics trained and place them in environments where they typically have not functioned in the past. This allows for quicker delivery of advanced level care. The team maintains a command unit and disaster response tracker. The S.T.O.R.M. team also provides regional and local disaster response (available through mutual aid or FEMA request).

TRACK CREW

Cabarrus EMS provides primary paramedic coverage for events at Lowes Motor Speedway. Responsibilities include mobile command, roving units and track coverage. A specialized team of Cabarrus EMS paramedics undergo extensive training on motorsports accident response and provide coverage to the drivers during the event by responding with the Lowes Motor Speedway firefighters.

TACTICAL EMS

Cabarrus EMS has six paramedics assigned to Tactical Police Teams (SRT/SWAT) in the surrounding areas. The paramedics function as members of the tactical team and provide early advanced care/support to the team members, civilians and suspects. Each tactical paramedic receives training from the CONTOMS or the TEMS program. Paramedics are assigned to the Cabarrus Sheriffs Department, Concord Police and Kannapolis Police.

WATER RESCUE MEDICS

Cabarrus County EMS has three Paramedics assigned to the Midland Water Rescue Team. These Medics are also attached to North Carolina Task Force 4 and are highly trained in the water rescue environment. This training includes; Swift Water Rescue, Ice Rescue, Advanced Open Water, Rescue and Medic Diver. The Paramedics primary role is to provide extended paramedic level care to the Midland Water Rescue Team and victims of the specific type incident that they may be dealing with. Members of the team have responded to numerous incidents throughout the state from the coast to the mountains. Team members received the Higgins Langley Memorial Award for Swift Water Rescue (the highest international award).

HAZMAT MEDIC TEAM

Cabarrus EMS has 7 paramedics assigned to the local hazardous materials team and special hazards response team. Members have the responsibility of responding to hazmat, terrorist and explosive events. Additionally, they serve on local Task Force 21 group.

COLLAPSE MEDICS

Cabarrus EMS supports a team of 6 paramedics trained as FEMA/USAR Structural Collapse Technicians and in trench rescue. Their role is to support the health and well being of the two Structural Collapse Teams in the county (Concord Fire and Cabarrus Rescue) as well as providing early, interventional care to patients trapped in this environment. Progressive protocols are utilized to afford extremely advanced care as well as the availability of a response physician if needed.

SMAT 3 TEAM

Cabarrus EMS supports a NCOEMS SMAT 3 team which is responsible for local, regional and state response in suppot of MCI incidents and decon. All team members have extensive training in decon, hazmat, ICS and MCI.

Cabarrus EMS provides paramedics in support of the County Search and Rescue team. Team members maintain SARTECH certification.

ATV MEDICS

Cabarrus EMS provides paramedics on ATV's in support of special operations in remote locations.