Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division

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Prepare for a Leadership Role in EMS Medicine

The Division of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at Texas Tech Health El Paso offers residents a dynamic and comprehensive experience in prehospital and tactical medicine. Through hands-on training, research opportunities, and leadership development, residents gain the skills to excel in EMS and related subspecialties.

 

Division of EMS Overview

Welcome to the Division of Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Texas Tech Health El Paso’s Department of Emergency Medicine provides residents with a unique, comprehensive EMS training experience. Our program integrates diverse prehospital medicine exposure with cutting-edge research and specialized opportunities, preparing residents to excel in emergency medical services.

Highlights of Our Program:

  • Tactical EMS Education: Offered through our fellowship in tactical medicine.
  • Law Enforcement Collaboration: Work with the U.S. Border Patrol and local law enforcement agencies.
  • Diverse Environments: Gain experience in urban, suburban, rural, and wilderness EMS settings.
  • Innovative Projects: Provide on-scene medical control for Blue Origin’s Launch Site One.

Explore how our program combines practical experience, education, and research to advance EMS care.

EMS Training and Resident Experience

Hands-On Prehospital Medicine Training

Residents gain invaluable first-hand experience in diverse EMS settings. Key components include:

  • Ride-Alongs: Interns accompany the El Paso Fire Department (EPFD), observing and assisting with prehospital care.
  • Radio Medical Command: Daily online radio and phone command with EPFD and U.S. Border Patrol sectors.
  • Specialized Opportunities: Experience tactical EMS, law enforcement medicine, and wilderness EMS.

Unique EMS Collaborations

Residents work closely with:

  • Law Enforcement Agencies: Tactical medicine with U.S. Border Patrol and local law enforcement.
  • Innovative Facilities: On-scene medical control for Blue Origin’s space launch site.

Research and Education Opportunities

Advancing EMS Through Research

Residents contribute to meaningful projects that shape the future of EMS. Recent research topics include:

  • Prehospital amputations.
  • U.S.-Mexico cross-border EMS medicine.
  • EMS exposure to firearms and tactical settings.

Educational Excellence

Residents have opportunities to become instructors in:

  • Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS).
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).

Participate in protocol development, curriculum design, and outreach initiatives to improve EMS education.

EMS Elective Rotation

Tailored EMS Elective for Third-Year Residents

The EMS elective rotation allows residents to deepen their EMS knowledge while customizing their experience based on interests.

Activities Include:

  • 911 Dispatch Centers: Spend a day at the regional command center to understand emergency response logistics.
  • Field Response: Participate in ambulance ride-alongs and on-scene medical care.
  • Education and Outreach: Assist with EMT training, protocol development, and community education events.

Outcomes

This rotation prepares residents for leadership roles in EMS and provides a strong foundation for EMS fellowship applications.

MS Track

Specialized EMS Track for Aspiring Leaders

Designed for residents with a passion for EMS, this track equips participants with the expertise needed for EMS leadership roles or fellowship placements.

Program Goals:

  • Develop clinical prehospital medicine skills.
  • Gain experience in EMS protocol development and systems oversight.
  • Participate in quality assurance, education, and EMS research projects.

Unique Leadership Opportunities:

Residents serve as assistant EMS medical directors, providing direct field supervision for a local EMS agency. This role includes:

  • Leading quality improvement initiatives.
  • Collaborating on protocol development.
  • Supervising EMS teams during field operations.

Leadership

Russell Baker, D.O.

  • Assistant Professor, Director of Emergency Medical Services

Certifications and Expertise:

  • Board certified in emergency medicine and EMS.
  • Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine.

Professional Experience:

  • Former tactical EMS team member at the University of New Mexico.
  • Current medical director for:
    • El Paso Fire Department
    • El Paso Police Department
    • U.S. Border Patrol (El Paso and Big Bend sectors)
    • Blue Origin
    • Fire Med Education Services
    • EMTask Force-9 Texas