Medical Special Operations Conference

FDNY and FDNY Foundation Host Second Annual Medical Special Operations Conference (MSOC)

The FDNY, in partnership with the FDNY Foundation, hosted the second annual Medical Special Operations Conference (MSOC) May 16-18. The weekend-long conference served as a platform for medical personnel from around the world who provide patient care under disaster and urban search and rescue conditions, with a primary objective to allow military, federal, state and local medical operators and planners to share their experiences in the field.

Some of the topics discussed at the MSOC–held at the FDNY Training Academy on Randall’s Island–were “Crush Injury and Syndrome,” “Collapse; Injury Patterns,” “Search Canine Veterinary Care,” “Field Limb Assessment and Amputation,” “Difficult Airway Management in the Austere Environment” and many more.

“Response to the conference was tremendous. Many participants stated that the FDNY MSOC should be mandatory for anyone operating in the medical special operations environment,” said Dr. Douglas A. Isaacs, FDNY Deputy Medical Director, Office of Medical Affairs.

Along with giving national and international medical first responders the unique chance to learn from each other, the conference attendees had the opportunity to learn from experts in the field through a series of lectures, hands-on, skill-building exercises, panel discussions and workshops. Featured lecturers and instructors included FDNY members, physicians, medical specialists and educators and leadership from some of the country’s top Urban Search and Rescue teams.

“This is the place for experts to share their knowledge with people working in this field throughout the national and international community,” said FDNY Foundation Chairman Stephen Ruzow. “We hope everyone who attended this conference will leave with skills that have the potential to improve patient care.”

Also participating were vendors to showcase the latest equipment and products in the medical response field. MSOC attendees who opted to go to the pre-conference workshops–a hands-on, bio-skills cadaver lab and canine critical care–also had the opportunity to visit the World Trade Center site and the New York City Fire Museum in downtown Manhattan.

“We are proud to be able to partner with the Department to offer this conference,” said FDNY Foundation Executive Director Jean O’Shea. “We train more than any department in the world and we’re so glad to be able to share that knowledge with professionals from the larger community.”

The FDNY Foundation is proud to host MSOC, now a significant part of EMS Week events.