Coast Guard Cutters 180 feet in length and greater
have one Health Services Technician assigned (IDT). The HS’s duties include:
-
Providing first line health care for the purpose
of returning ambulatory active duty members to a Fit For Full Duty
status
-
Health services administration and record keeping
-
Health services related training
-
Environmental health activities
-
Provision of health benefits information
-
Liaison with supporting health services
facilities to access and arrange care for active duty members.
In addition to the IDT, there can be EMT’s on board
with the number determined by the command. The 3 Polar class icebreakers
have a medical officer (PA or NP) as well as a senior HS.
Cutters under 180 feet usually have one or more
EMT’s on board.
Coast Guard Cutters have varying capabilities with
respect to medical evacuation. Medium
Endurance cutters (210 feet and 270 feet in length), High Endurance
cutters (378 feet in length) and Polar Class icebreakers (399 feet in
length), have capability to land HH 60J and HH 65A helicopters. Most
helicopter support is provided by the HH-65A.
Port Security Units (PSU’s) are entirely a reserve
component. Each unit has one reserve physician assistant medical officer
and 2 reserve HS’s. The Coast Guard currently has 6 PSU’s, 4 in the
Atlantic area and 2 in the Pacific area.
25' Transportable Port Security Boat (TPSB
Source: Operational Medicine 2001, Health
Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau
of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington,
D.C., 20372-5300
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Polar Class Icebreaker (WAGB)
378' High Endurance Cutter (WHEC)
270' Medium Endurance Cutter (WMEC)
110' Patrol Boat (WPB)
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