Sudden Death in Custody: EMS Leadership

In EMS we must do the hard work to better understand sudden death in custody. A key priority is having EMS leadership at multiple levels make the issues related to sudden death in custody a priority. The issues requiring focus include not only EMS protocols and training, but also the implicit bias that is intertwined with this topic.

EMS leadership focus is needed at all levels, including:

State-Level Leadership

• State EMS Coordinating Boards

• State EMS Bureaus

Agency Level Leadership

• Initiate conversations with law enforcement

• Support training

• Acknowledge implicit bias

Medical Director Leadership

• Creating expectations

• Providing training