Tactical EMS Deployment at the G7 Summit in Charlevoix, Quebec

Abstract

Introduction:

The G7 Summit was held in Charlevoix, Quebec (Canada) on June 8 and 9, 2018. The Urgences-santé Corporation (USC), in charge of prehospital emergency services in Montreal and Laval, was asked to intervene outside of its usual territory during the Summit, mainly because it has the only tactical medical team in the province of Quebec to be equipped and trained for high-risk situations.

Aim:

Part of USC’s tactical medical team was deployed to the Charlevoix region from May 29 to June 10, 2018. The team had two responsibilities: act in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive (CBRNE) attack, and in the event of social disturbance or violence, provide care for protestors and the police officers tasked with maintaining and restoring order.

Methods:

The mission required rigorous preparation to ensure the team’s safety outside its usual area of activity while maintaining full coverage of metropolitan Montreal, where the impacts of the G7 Summit were also felt. Emphasis was placed on intensive coaching of the tactical medics, on joint training, and on the coordination of intervention protocols across EMS, fire and law enforcement.

Results:

A total of 14 tactical medics and two managers were sent to Charlevoix for the Summit. Before their departure, three joint training days were held, and our training center provided six days of training to our partners.

Discussion:

While no CBRNE incident or major social disorder occurred during the Summit, USC was able to gain more visibility and therefore reach out to different organizations on site. Close ties were developed with the Sûreté du Québec (provincial police), with whom USC now regularly collaborates during training and interventions. The lessons learned also helped consolidate our extra-territorial deployment procedures.