ARMC PHYSICIAN LOOKS TO BRING CUTTING EDGE MEDICINE TO SWAT TEAMS

Dr. Michael Neeki, an emergency room physician at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center is also a member of the Rialto Police Department SWAT team, working to to upgrade the medical assistance team members can deliver in the field. He’s certified to carry a gun and participates in the team’s tactical drills. He wants to expand the emergency medicine residency at ARMC to give young doctors the exposure to SWAT teams. Dr. Neeki envisions ARMC residents playing roles in the developing field of tactical medicine by connecting with several area SWAT teams. The training Dr. Neeki took to become certified by the State of California as a SWAT member included an intensive, two-week course taught by the International School of Tactical Medicine in Palm Springs. Clients of the school include the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Secret Service and many local and state police agencies. Dr. Lawrence Heiskell, founder and medical director of the school, said that state law requires there be a doctor involved with paramedics and emergency medical technicians on tactical teams, but the law does not require the doctor to be part of the team. However, “It has been documented time and again when a doctor is on the scene, lives are saved,” Dr. Heiskell said.

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