Handling of life-threatening situations in the context of hazard control and emergency response: Master Medic/Master Physician – an academic course

Hybrid threat or hazardous situations, particularly when life-threatening, are increasing nationally and internationally. They pose challenges for threat and hazard control and emergency response that require actors to have a comprehensive capability to act. In addition to a medical focus, also tactical aspects play a significant role in such situations. Combining these requirements is the objective of the Master Medic program, often understood as the most experienced medic in an unit, is expected to meet. A uniform concept in the sense of a curriculum at academic level is currently still lacking. The Department of Disaster Prevention & Crisis Management at the University of Applied Sciences Fresenius in Idstein, Germany, has designed the degree program in Tactical Emergency Medicine for Disaster Management and Counterterrorism (Master Medic/Master Physician) based on the diverse expertise of the police, military, and emergency service threat prevention sectors, as well as results from a survey of the potential target groups. The program also incorporates the concepts of Human Performance Optimization and Strategic Resilience (HPSR). As part of this program, graduates of the Master Medic or Master Physician program will be equipped to combine leadership, (tactical) operational medicine, training and continuing education, as well as research and development, in order to contribute significantly to the protection of the population, individuals, and cultural assets. This also corresponds to the NATO's efforts, which defines strengthening resilience for defense and the Allied capability as a key development area.