SGAUS Medical Badge Guide
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Concept:The SGAUS Medical Academy Badge Program is designed to incentivize State Defense Force (SDF) personnel to prepare themselves for their roles in a variety of SDF programs and mobilizations. We have previously developed an Expert Medical Badge program modeled after the US Army Expert Field Medical Badge program.
The Army program is designed to take medical personnel from a variety of backgrounds and teach specific and limited field skills not usually learned in Civilian training. As modified by the SGAUS Medical Academy, we prepared a model course repeated several times to serve as an example of what individual SDFs were to prepare and offer at home.
Individual SDFs have never followed through, which defeated several expectations. These expectations were that participation in the program would cost the individual SDF member little money or nothing, that the program would be available to all appropriate SDF medical personnel, and would be reproducible and readily available in each state regardless of the size of its SDF.
We also recognize that our goals differ from those of the Army Field Medical Badge program in that personnel being activated for civilian disaster and other response have different training needs, background experience, and licensing requirements depending on their background civilian schooling, employment, and licensing. The program outlined below is different than our previous EMB program in several ways:
- It is designed so that an individual can study for and qualify at their home station primarily, not necessarily completely on their own. Courses could be taken in class if an SDF chooses, or online as an individual.
- We recognize that mobilization duties and expectations are different for various medical personnel whether functioning in a shelter operation, field disaster setting, augmenting FEMA personnel in an emergency hospital or as a corpsman assigned to a non-medical SDF unit. Like other SGAUS academies, we have developed a 3-badge program: Basic, Senior, and Master, but unlike other SGAUS programs, each badge will be aimed at a different population rather than as a sequential progression from one badge to another.
Basic Medical Badge: Emergency Medical Technician
The Basic Badge is earned by personnel holding an EMT certification. This qualifies members for logistical, operational, and non-invasive field support roles, often corresponding to the Medical Unit Leader (MEDL) role in the NQS.
Requirements
- Intended Audience: EMTs, Prior Military Service Medics, Skilled Medical Personnel with expertise, training and certification that did not require a formal Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate degree. Examples include (not exclusively) X-ray technicians, Lab techs, Dental techs, Veterinary techs, and medical personnel involved in direct patient care.
- Be an active member of an SDF
- If a certificate or licensure is required by the State or Territory of their SDF for the medical position in which they would operate if activated, they must possess a current EMT, Paramedic, or other appropriate certificate/licensure to function in the State of their SDF.
- Have previously earned the MEMS Basic Badge.
- The following courses must be completed within 2 years prior to submission of the application. Because they may be involved in field and shelter operations during deployment, the candidates must complete the following courses:
- Course: Personal Protective Considerations for Infectious Agents AWR-914-W. https://cdp.dhs.gov/training/course/AWR-914-W
- Course: Response Considerations During Outbreak or Epidemic AWR-915-W. https://cdp.dhs.gov/training/course/AWR-915-W
- C.IS-5.A Introduction to Hazardous Materials.
- Possess current CPR certification from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
- Complete the American Red Cross Adult and Child First Aid Course, or the Wilderness First Aid Course, or equivalent within the previous 24 months.
- Demonstrate to a Unit Medical Officer, Senior Medical NCO (or senior officer in your SDF if the unit has no Medical Officer or Medical NCO) the following:
- Application of a CAT tourniquet and an improvised tourniquet.
- Initial Field Medical triage.
- Proper immobilization of the head and neck if head and neck injury has not been ruled out.
- Proper technique to remove a helmet following suspected head/neck injury. Demonstrate each type: athletic, motorcycle, and combat.
- Method of moving a patient to/from a stretcher as well as a hospital-type gurney and common litter carries.
- Understanding of Infection Control in a Shelter operation including sharps control, disposal of contaminated items, and when quarantining may be necessary and how it could be accomplished.
- Note: All “equivalent” courses must be approved ahead of time by the Medical Academy staff.
Resources:
Academy Staff
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