FDNY Search & Rescue Field Medicine Symposium (2025)

The FDNY and the FDNY Foundation are proud to invite all first responders to the 12th Annual FDNY Search & Rescue Field Medicine Symposium (SRFM). Each year, the FDNY SRFM Symposium brings together military, federal, state, and local medical responders to share their experiences and best practices. FDNY SRFM Symposium includes discussions on current hot topics, updates on the latest medical technology, and recent case studies from around the world. The FDNY SRFM Symposium takes place over four days with workshops, lectures, panel discussions, hands-on skills scenarios, and a vendor showcase with the latest equipment and products.

4 Day Package ($450)

• Two-day course or two pre-symposium workshops
• WTC Ceremony
• Welcome reception
• Symposium

3 Day Package ($350)

• One pre-symposium workshop on April 24 or 25
• WTC Ceremony
• Welcome reception
• Symposium

2 Day Package ($200)

• Symposium

HOST HOTEL:

Hotel information will be posted as soon as it's available.

1-DAY WORKSHOPS:

Bioskills: Critical Life-Saving Procedures (4/24)

• Learn the critical decision-making process and procedure for field limb amputations delivered by NYC’s leading trauma surgeons
• Review other critical procedural skills such as surgical airway, finger thoracostomy, thoracotomy, lateral canthotomy, peri-mortem c-section
• Participate in a critical procedural skills practical lab

Bite Me! Bites, Stings and Envenomation at the Bronx Zoo (4/24)

• This workshop takes place at the Bronx Zoo, the largest metropolitan zoo in the U.S.
• Learn from world-renowned experts on the assessment and management of commonly encountered insects, spiders and snake bites, including a demonstration of administering antivenom for snake bites
• Participate in a guided tour of the Bronx Zoo’s “World of Reptiles” and exhibits of other things that bite

Immersive Aerial Search, Triage and Medical Delivery Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (4/24)

• Understand effective search methods and strategies employed in aerial search and rescue operations
• Acquire skills in aerial triage that ensure efficient prioritization of medical assistance using the aerial remote triage system
• Master the techniques of medical package delivery via drones for prompt and effective response in critical situations

Tabletop Exercises and MCI Preparation in Schools, Hospitals and EMS Using AI and Other Simulation Tools (4/24)

• Analyze the specific vulnerabilities of schools, hospitals, and EMS systems to various MCI threats, including active shooters, mass casualty influxes, severe weather events, and cyberattacks
• Design and facilitate engaging tabletop exercises (TTXs) that realistically simulate MCIs and promote critical thinking and problem-solving among participants.
• Utilize AI-powered simulation tools to enhance MCI preparedness and response capabilities
• Develop and implement effective communication strategies and protocols for coordinating interagency response across EMS, hospitals, and other key stakeholders during MCIs
• Apply triage principles, resource allocation strategies, and incident command system best practices to optimize patient care and minimize casualties in MCI scenarios

The ABCs of Field Blood Transfusion Utilizing Whole Blood (4/25)

• This workshop is taught by experienced military and civilian subject matter experts in field blood transfusion
• Examine the strategic stakeholders and steps required to establish a prehospital blood transfusion program
• Discuss established standard operations procedures, protocols and guidelines
• Review examples of successful national civilian programs
• Demonstrate and provide hands-on experience through realistic scenarios utilizing high fidelity manikins

Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Medical Special Operations (4/25)

• Learn from some of NYC’s leading emergency medicine ultrasound faculty
• Use the latest portable devices and learn the fundamentals of point-of-care ultrasound and its application in the austere environment
• Participate in ultrasound applications with realistic scenarios

Advanced Field Burn Care at the William Randolph Hearst Burn Center at Weill Cornell (4/25)

• Learn from experts at the nationally renowned William Randolph Hearst Burn Center at Weill Cornell
• Review the priorities of evaluating and managing a severely burned patient with limited resources including but not limited to triaging and prioritizing the management of burned patients, airway management and ventilation support, fluid resuscitation strategies, effective pain management, and best wound care practices

Extended Medical Care for Rural Search and Rescue (SAR) Personnel (4/25)

• Understand and apply principles of prolonged care in resource limited environments
• Recognize and manage common medical and trauma emergencies encountered in prolonged care environments
• Perform hands-on practical skills for patient assessment, treatment, and stabilization with limited resources
• Develop strategies for patient care and transport when evacuation is delayed
• Participate in scenario-based training simulating SAR missions in remote areas

2-DAY COURSES (4/24 - 4/25):

Difficult Airway Course

• Course taught by expert faculty
• Discuss rapid sequence intubation (RSI) and pharmacology
• Learn advanced topics on the assessment and management of difficult airways
• Learn an extensive range of airway management techniques and equipment
• Engage in challenging integrative case discussions and scenarios
• Certification provided with completion of the course

Advanced K-9 Veterinary Care Course

• Course taught by nationally recognized veterinarians in partnership with the Animal Medical Center, the world’s largest veterinary teaching hospital
• Learn to provide medical care for our four-legged Task Force members! The course includes both basic and advanced assessment, management, and procedures
• Features live tissue and simulated hands-on experience
• Certification provided with completion of the course

NAEMT TECC: Hands-On Active Threat Scenario

• NAEMT certification course on Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) taught by members of FDNY and NYPD
• Review best practice treatment guidelines for trauma care in the high-threat prehospital environment
• Participate in realistic simulated hands-on scenarios

CONFERENCE LECTURES (4/26 - 4/27):

DAY 1: SATURDAY (4/26)

Keynote: Rescue is a Patient-Driven Activity

• Recognize the need for a paradigm shift in Search and Rescue
• Discuss how US&R medicine is an essential humanitarian activity
• Review different strategies to close the gap between rescue and emergency medical care

The Türkiye and Syria Earthquake 2023 – Personal Lessons from Complex Rescues

• Review the devastation of the 2023 earthquake and the scope of international response efforts
• Discuss the issue of how to deal with the “out-of-algorithm crisis”
• Identify key medical practicalities encountered during prolonged entrapment rescues

US&R Medical Roles in Earthquake Response: Well beyond the Hurricane Deployment

• Promote a better understanding of the challenges in earthquake response
• Detail the differences in incident time-lines
• Examine the differences and current limitations in search methodologies
• Outline anticipated medical operations
• Highlight procedures we can use to improve our practice

Mass Confusion: How do we Simplify Mass Casualty Response?

• Describe the limitations of using traditional triage approaches in preparation for a mass causality event
• Review the frequency and severity of injuries, diagnostic algorithms and formal triage categories that are used in real world mass causality events in civilian and military settings
• Describe a simpler novel evidence-based approach in preparing for a mass causality response

Medicine’s Roles and Challenges in 21st Century Warfare

• Describe the unique challenges imposed by 21st century weaponry, warfare tactics, and the changing characteristics of modern warfare
• Describe solutions to casualty evacuation in a contested environment, and the role of multimodal platforms utilized for CASEVAC
• Describe the perceived protection of the Red Cross for medical personnel, and the implications for patient care on the 21st century battlefield

From Combat to Care: The Medical Applications of Military Drones

• Provide an overview of the latest drone technologies utilized by the military for medical purposes
• Discuss how drone technology can be leveraged for medical applications and disaster response
• Discuss ongoing research and innovations aimed at enhancing the utilization, effectiveness and reliability of medical drones

DAY 2: SUNDAY (4/27)

Challenging Return to Play Decisions: Exertional Heat Stroke, Rhabdomyolysis and Exercise Collapse Associated with Sickle Cell Trait

• Review clinical diagnostic and management considerations for exertional heat stroke (EHS), exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER), and exercise collapse associated with sickle cell trait (ECAST)
• Discuss the challenging issues with return to play for EHS, ER and ECAST
• Identify clinical criteria utilized to facilitate return to play (RTP) and return to duty (RTD)

Enhance Medical Monitoring: The Role of Medical Wearables in Medical Special Operations

• Provide an overview of current types of wearable technologies
• Discuss how wearables improve real-time monitoring and decision-making
• Outline the process of integrating wearables into field operations
• Explore emerging technologies and future trends in medical wearables

Emergency Intubation in the Physiologically Unstable Patient

• Understand the pathophysiology and clinical challenges posed by unstable patients
• Employ pre-optimization strategies for emergency intubation in trauma patients
• Discuss techniques to effectively perform airway management in the unstable patient

Impaled: Balancing Patient Care and Removal

• Discuss the common mechanisms for impalements
• Review common removal tools, practices, and best procedures to reduce risk of further injury
• Define patient care treatment priorities and realistic expectations that will optimize removal efforts and enhance patient survivability and recovery

Managing the Critically Ill Pediatric Patient in the Resource Constraint Environment

• Identify and discuss the unique challenges faced in managing critically ill pediatric patients in resource-limited settings, including limited access to advanced medical equipment and specialized care
• Explore strategies for optimizing available resources, such as using alternative methods for airway management, improvising with available materials, and prioritizing interventions based on the severity of the patient’s condition
• Highlight the need for ongoing training and education for healthcare providers for managing critically ill pediatric patients in challenging settings
• Discuss the ethical considerations involved in making critical decisions with limited resources, including prioritizing care and ensuring equitable treatment for all pediatric patients

A Big Bloody Mess: Disaster Planning and Field Blood Transfusion Management during MCIs

• Explain the critical role of blood resources during mass casualty disasters
• Discuss pre-disaster preparedness measures, including maintaining adequate blood reserves and establishing robust supply chains
• Present real-world examples of successful blood resource management during past disasters
• Review the importance of training and educating healthcare professionals, volunteers, and the community

LECTURE TRACK:

DAY 1: SATURDAY (4/26)

Lithium-Ion Batteries and Emergency Response

• Discuss how lithium-ion batteries challenge first responders at fires, motor vehicle accidents and transportation incidents
• Review the latest insights from FDNY responses and research collaborations
• Discuss how public safety education can contribute to risk reduction
• Examine how to effectively use free training resources to educate your members

Maximizing Technical Information Systems in the Urban Search and Rescue Environment

• Provide an overview of the search and rescue common operating platform (SARCOP)
• Display best practices and examples of the rules of engagement that enhance common operating capabilities in the US&R environment
• Discuss how SARCOP enhances operational capabilities and situational awareness for medical specialists

DAY 2: SUNDAY (4/27)

Hospital Under Siege: Managing Overwhelming Surge of Casualties

• Understand and discuss the various scenarios that can lead to a hospital being overwhelmed with casualties
• Compare and contrast prehospital and hospital triage systems and how patients are prioritized
• Discuss the development and implementation of surge capacity plans to expand hospital capabilities quickly, such as setting up temporary treatment areas and mobilizing additional staff
• Explore strategies for effective allocation and management of limited resources, including medical supplies, personnel, and space, to maximize patient care during high-demand situations
• Highlight the importance of clear and effective communication within the hospital and with external agencies, including emergency services, public health authorities, and the media
• Address the need for supporting healthcare workers’ physical and mental well-being during times of crisis, including providing adequate rest, psychological support, and ensuring a safe working environment

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Technology in Disaster Preparedness

• Explain how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance disaster preparedness and emergency response
• Highlight various technologies, including machine learning and data analytics, and explain how they can improve early warning systems and resource allocation
• Present examples and share best practices of the use of AI in disaster planning
• Discuss strategies to encourage collaboration between technology providers, governments, and communities
• Highlight the importance of regular reviews and updates to disaster plans in order to incorporate new technologies

HANDS-ON SCENARIOS TRACK:

Confined Space/Collapse Rubble Pile

• Review the safety principles of rescue operations in various austere and tactical environments
• Discuss the risks and responsibilities of operating on the scene of natural or human-made disasters
• Identify the priority of patients using various triage systems
• Demonstrate effective patient management techniques, including airway management and vascular access within a confined space
• Review different methods of patient packaging and extrication
• Practice skills used in the management of impaled victims

Care in the Air

• Explore the logistical challenges of accessing and treating patients on board an aircraft
• Learn how to safely navigate the confined space of an airplane aisle while delivering care
• Implement strategies for safe patient extrication
• Demonstrate effective communication strategies with airline staff and passengers

Emergency Response Planning-Terrorism

• Learn how to identify the common indicators of clandestine drug labs, such as unusual chemical odors, atypical equipment, suspicious containers, and specific environmental hazards, to ensure safety and effective incident management
• Review the proper protocols for securing the scene of a suspected clandestine drug lab, including evacuation procedures
• Identify the priority of patients using various triage systems

Virtual Reality (VR)

• Demonstrate the ability to conduct a structured patient assessment in the VR environment, focusing on identifying injuries, vital signs, and prioritizing interventions based on severity
• Recall and select the appropriate bleeding control methods, such as direct pressure, wound packing, or tourniquet application, based on the type and location of the bleeding observed in the VR simulation

Host or Publisher FDNY Foundation