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5.8.1 - SAMS Coordination

DPS personnel coordinate with San Andreas Medical Services (SAMS) for injury response and patient transportation. Officers shall determine whether SAMS is on duty when responding to a person-down or medical emergency through radio, dispatch, tablet, or the approved duty system. When SAMS is on duty, officers shall not transport patients unless SAMS specifically directs it, subject to the urgent life-safety exception below. Where useful, assign one officer as SAMS liaison to relay scene safety information, patient status, and medical instructions. Officers shall respect EMS medical authority and retain responsibility for law-enforcement scene safety.

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5.8.2 - Medical Scope

Unless independently SAMS-certified and operating within that qualification, officers may provide basic life-saving measures within their training, such as direct pressure, trained tourniquet application, and immediate hazard extraction. Advanced treatment outside a member’s authorization is prohibited. SAMS-certified officers shall follow SAMS requirements and remain accountable to their certification standards.

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5.8.3 - Restricted Actions

  • Do not transport injured persons while SAMS is on duty unless SAMS directs transport or a controlling emergency exception applies.
  • Do not conduct the historical prohibited deep-water rescue category (beyond Vespucci Canals) without authorized specialty capability; this legacy geographic benchmark should be clarified with Marine/SAMS command.
  • Do not move a downed patient merely for convenience while awaiting SAMS clearance.
  • Do not provide advanced care beyond training or certification.

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5.8.4 - Emergency Movement Clause

If a patient faces immediate danger (active gunfire, fire, imminent vehicle impact, or similar) and it is unsafe to remain, officers may use reasonable care to move the person to the nearest safe location when no safer option exists. Notify SAMS as soon as practical, explain the reason for movement, and avoid unnecessary patient transport in a patrol vehicle.

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5.8.5 - Critical Incidents

For officer-involved shootings, major collisions, severe injuries, or deaths: request emergency services, ensure scene safety, notify supervisors, preserve evidence, and follow separate use-of-force and investigation procedures. This section does not substitute for required OIS, collision, or force reports.

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5.8.6 - Documentation

Record aid given, why it was needed, whether SAMS was on duty, instructions received, patient movement/transport, incident disposition, and applicable force or medical notifications in the incident report or designated medical notes.