I am a paramedic in Joplin Mo at METS ambulance. I was a student at your tactical course at Camp Ripley. I just wanted to let you know that the officers on our tactical team have been very receptive to us since we completed your course. It has almost been like the twilight zone. The overall attitude of the team towards us has turned completely around.

Training sessions have changed from us standing around watching to the last training session when the officer that we felt liked us the least came to us and asked what they could do for us. We asked if we could do some officer down drills and ended up working on that for about an hour and a half. Your advice of "gentle pressure relentlessly applied" has worked perfectly. All in all we feel the team is finally coming together.

Thanks for everything you and the other instructors taught us over the course of a week. The information we gained is now being put to work. We have almost acquired all the equipment we need. The show and tell section of the course helped us decide what our team needed. After a little creative searching and a few dollars out of our own pockets we have put together a good pack for our members.

We asked the team if they would be willing to have you come down and do some training with all of us so you can help them see what our role is. Would you be willing to at some time come down and spend a day with our team?

Thanks for everything you and the other instructors did for us. It has helped our team in more ways than we even thought it could.

Thanks again,

Scott Keatts EMT-P, EMT-T
Missouri
October 13, 2002

Your course is one of the best courses I have ever attended. As a law enforcement officer, firefighter and EMT-I, I have attend many courses, but have never received the training I got from this course. The instructors are excellent and give 120% of themselves to the students. I would highly recommend for anyone in the tactical medic field.

Rob Parker
South Dakota
December 28, 2003

I'd just like to thank you for a great program. That was the best week of training I could have wished for. I, like everyone else was more than impressed with the organization. Everything flowed from our perspective which was paramount to the work going on behind the scenes. What really made it was the cadre; it was great to meet such a down to earth, no bullshit, genuine bunch of guys and gals. It makes a big difference when the staff is truly passionate about what they believe in.

You really have a hell of a team who practice what they preach. The content was excellent. I could not fault a single class or practical, well taught with open minded attitudes.

Paul Adams
Texas
October 11, 2003

I would like to thank you for "The Essentials of Tactical EMS" class. Being an EMT-B for 3 years and having limited medical experience, I was somewhat leery of taking this class. Most students there were paramedics, firefighters or already tactical medics. I thought my lack of medic training would be a hindrance to my performance. The class was geared to teach both students like me with EMT-B knowledge and students that were high level trained paramedics. When I first arrived and started to unload my gear, Mark grabbed some of my gear and started humping it into the barracks. From that moment on I knew that the people instructing this class were going to meet me on a level playing field and I was going to have a great week.

The class was one of the most physically and mentally exhausting training experiences I have ever had. It pushed me to go past what I thought were my limits. I learned life saving medical techniques and tactical functions that will be used on and off duty. The instructors were the very knowledgeable in their field. They had the unique ability to convey the information and tactics in an efficient and down to earth way that an individual new in Tactical EMS could easily comprehend. There was not one wasted minute. The course was well planned and executed with all contingencies covered.

I not only learned lessons that apply to my career but philosophies to apply to everyday life functions. It was a very positive learning experience. I hope to have an opportunity to take this course or any other course taught by your TEMS cadre again. It would be an honor. Again thank you!

Sgt. Paul Kubinski
Federal Law Enforcement Officer
November 7, 2003

As a training instructor and tactical team leader, I have never encountered a course like this. In addition, the instructors are superb and I have never been taught by instructors anywhere, that come close to the group that drive the Tactical EMS School. They are passionate about what they do. The 6-day course is the best I have ever taken. It is physically challenging as well as mentally challenging and will bring a new dimension and meaning to "TEAM." You will leave this course changed (for the better), and you will have a knowledge base you can build a house on. The training cadre practices what they preach and it shows throughout the course and more importantly in their hearts. I would strongly recommend sending your medics to this course without hesitation. I know we will be sending more of our own officers. You cannot put a price tag on what you will come away with from this course as a medic and a person. You can now stop looking for the best tactical medic course, because you've found it.

Lt. Mark Madden
Federal Law Enforcement Officer
Minnesota
November 2002

I have attended other Tactical Medic courses but they do not stand up to the training you receive with this school. The instructors and team concept ideas are top notch. I would recommend this school over any of the others.

We came home tired but really fired up. We have since written new SOG's and we now have a medical director backing us on the things that we do. We also got the team leaders let us do the team building things and also be more in control of our team medically and physically.

We can't wait until the New Year when we start training again!

Marius Laursen
Paramedic
South Dakota
December 27, 2003

Good Morning! Once again thank you for the experience of a lifetime and the sharing of the Black Team's knowledge and experience. I have already put into operation the plan of "gentle pressure relentlessly applied."

Keith Witte
Paramedic
Minnesota
June 29, 2001

I am extremely grateful that I had the opportunity to learn from all of you in the short week that we spent up at Camp Ripley. The training and experiences that you passed on to me were incredible. I am grateful that you all took the time to help us with anything that we had questions on and was amazed that you treated us as persons and not just as students. For all of you who took time away from your personal time up there to talk, I thank you.

I look forward to attending again and I am anxiously awaiting that advanced class you had mentioned. I hope you can make that a reality someday. If there is anything that I can offer to help keep your program the success that it is today, please contact me. I continue to tell everyone that asks about your training that it is the best training that I have ever attended...

Jonathan Rasch
Minnesota
November 13, 2003

Greeting's sir! Your course was fantastic and I am looking forward to the process of learning more about tactical EMS.

You, and the entire staff, provided a terrific week of education and training. My hat comes off to each of you. Thank you again!

Jim Restemayer
South Dakota
November 18, 1999

You guys have an excellent program going and I was honored to be an assistant last year - and I'd definitely like to do it in the future for the "Black Team". All of the staff at your class are top-notch instructors and true team players. I learn just as much by helping teach, as by being a student.

Jim Felt
Minnesota
April 5, 2001

All our guys loved the class and as of now your class is our new standard of training. To quote one of them "it was outstanding!" All new members of our team will be required to attend your class. Thanks Again,

Jesse James - Team Commander
Southwest Enforcement Bureau
Ohio
September 22, 2000

This e-mail has been a long time coming. The course was outstanding in my eyes. I have talked it up every chance I have had. I know our team commander will probably attend next year. I hope that in the near future, you are able to put together an advanced class. In the mean time if you ever need assistance I would love to help out.

Your Cadre was excellent. They offered many views that not once, in my opinion, conflicted with each other. That tells me that you have planned well and are very thorough. I love the passion that each had. They got their points across very well. Stay safe!

Don Reis
Ohio
November 22, 2000

One last time, I was very impressed with the training and your staff! I will never stop singing the praises of your course to anyone who will listen and look forward to possibly helping you out next year. Thanks again!

SFC DANIEL J HALE, NREMT-P
MNARNG, NREMT-P
May 29, 2001

Obstacles your team may encounter entering a location take on a whole new look when you have a packaged patient in tow.