July 25th, 2017 – In 2008 Dr. Coyne, Chief Surgeon and Medical Director of the Suffolk County Police Department, incepted the Medical Crisis Action Team also known as MedCAT. This team, which is now made up of 28 Police Officers, is trained in Adavanced Life Support (ALS) at the paramedic or EMT ciritical care level. These officers can start IVs, perform intubation, administer medication and other advanced life support care. The Team is on call 24/7, and having them respond to a call can often save a life. The team is also comprised of five physicians who have specialized tactical training.
The MedCAT is also trained to operate as a Medical Swat Team for high risk situations such as an active shooter or terrorist situation; they can provide care under fire to police officers and civilians and can handle Chemical, Biological, and Radiation attacks.
This well deserving group along with its mastermind, Dr. Coyne, was honored by Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset) and the whole Legislature last Tuesday at their General Meeting. Having previously been honored at the national level with the 2017 National Officers Safety presented by the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund and the US Department of Justice Valor Initiative, it was time that they were honored locally.
“Dr. Coyne and his Medical Crisis Action Team are life-savers. Many of our residents have MedCAT to thank for their life,” said Legislator Kennedy “The innovative way they bring together life saving medcial techniques and effective police tactics is a point of pride for our Police Department and our County.”
For more information about this event or other events in the community, please call our office at (631)-854-3735 or log onto Legislator Kennedy’s Facebook page at facebook.com/legislatorlesliekennedy.
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Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy represents the 12th Legislative District, encompassing Smithtown, Nesconset, Hauppauge, the Village of the Branch, Lake Grove, parts of Commack, Ronkonkoma, Lake Ronkonkoma and Centereach. Legislator Kennedy was born and raised on Long Island, is a former nurse and small business manager, and has dedicated her life towards the betterment of our community. She currently serves on the following Committees: Budget and Finance, Education and Human Services, Government Operations, Personnel, and Information Technology, Health, Parks & Recreation, Public Safety, and Veterans
