The New Haven Sponsor Hospital Area Response Physician TEAM provides immediate physician field response to support emergency responders throughout the twelve town area served by the New Haven Sponsor Hospital Program.

The team was formed following a complex extrication/rescue of a commercial nursery worker in the spring of 2001 at which two EMS physicians provided assistance. The team was granted a certificate of operation as an ALS agency by the state Department of Public Health on July 1st 2002(#C093P03), and the team’s response vehicle was licensed by the state in August 2002.

The SHARP team is currently staffed by six EMS physicians, with backup from three physician assistants. All team members receive formal training in the following areas:

• National Incident Management System
• Hazardous Materials (First Responder-Operations level or higher)
• Emergency Vehicle Operations

The team is dispatched by South-Central CMED. Contact CMED by phone or Med 10 to request a response. CMED policy requires that the Incident Commander authorize the request. The responding team member(s) will report to the IC upon arrival for assignment, accountability, and reporting responsibility, and will remain available at the scene until released through the command structure.

Response Vehicles :

The team utilizes a 2004 Ford Explorer and a 2005 Ford Explorer for emergency response vehicles. In addition to complete ALS equipment, the vehicle carries personal protective equipment for team members, surgical equipment, and additional medications. In general, the on-call team member will have one of the response vehicles with them for responses. However on occasion, the on-call team member may be responding in his or her personal vehicle which may affect response times. An ETA and all pertinent communications will be provided by CMED.

Surgical Backup :

Protocols are in place with the trauma specialists at HSR and YNHH for field responses of surgeons if needed for certain types of surgical extrications

Responses :

The SHARP Team is available to respond to any type of emergency incident, and is designed to provide medical oversight and assistance at:

• Multiple casualty incidents
• Complex or difficult extrications/rescues
• Greater alarm fires
• Hazardous materials incidents

Team members can also assist with triage, treatment, logistics, communications, and rehab. A primary purpose of the team is to provide for the safety and medical needs of emergency personnel operating at incident scenes.