The Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council (WRHSAC) in partnership with Western Mass EMS (WMEMS) is hosting multiple training sessions that fulfill the practical training portion of Chapter 23 of the Acts of 2022 – commonly known as Nero’s Law. Sessions will be held in each of the four counties of western Massachusetts.
Registration is open for sessions in Hampshire County, at UMass Amherst on Monday, October 23, 2023, (4pm, 6pm and 8pm) as well as sessions in Hampden County, at Baystate Health Education Center in Holyoke on Saturday, November 4, 2023 (9am, 11am, and 1pm).
The training is free. Registration is required.
To register for a session at UMass on Monday, October 23 – Click here.
To register for a session in Holyoke on Saturday, November 4 – Click here.
Sessions in other counties will be announced in the coming weeks.
Per Nero’s Law, ambulance services in Massachusetts are required to assess, treat and transport police K9s injured in the line of duty. All certified EMTs (at all levels) must complete a training course of a minimum of 3 hours (1.5 hours didactic, .5 hours practical).
All students must complete the didactic training prior to attending a practical session. The didactic training is available online, on demand. To access the didactic training utilize the following link and passcode:
- LMS Portal: https://cmemsc-training.org/login/ and take the following steps:
- Click register and enter your email address and create password
- Select “Mass EMS Region 1” and
- Enter code: Reg1WMA-Nero
Bring a copy (paper or electronic) of a certificate of completion of the didactic training to the practical session.
All students will show the following skills for successful completion of the practical training:
- Demonstrate appropriate assessment, restraint (muzzling) and low-stress handling of injured animals, including the selection and use of commercial and improvised muzzles.
- Discuss appropriate indications, contraindications, and technique for muzzle application
- Identify relevant anatomic structures in police K9s and differences from human anatomy
- Perform physical exam to non-police dog canine, including primary survey/ M3ARCH2 algorithm and to identify trauma (DCAP-BTLS).
- Demonstrate appropriate pulse checks and vital signs measurement in non-police dog canine.
- Assess for life threatening bleeding and provide appropriate hemorrhage control interventions, including the use of hemostatic dressings and non-windless style tourniquet devices.
- Assess for airway obstructions and perform basic life support maneuvers for clearance and to maintain patency.
- Identify and appropriately manage chest trauma, including the use of occlusive dressings, if razor to shave fur is carried on the ambulance.
- Identify and appropriately manage shock.
- Demonstrate assessment and management of cardiac arrest in canines, in accordance with current CPR guidelines, including chest compressions, ventilations using bag valve mask and post resuscitation care.
1.5 OEMS credits will be awarded upon completion.
