Emergency Medical Services with Dr. Katzer

By Michael Head, UCI School of Medicine

Meet Dr. Katzer, a true jack of all trades in the world of emergency medicine. Not only is he an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) trained physician at UC Irvine, but he also serves as the Medical Director for Anaheim Fire, the Associate Base Hospital Director at UC Irvine, a disaster medicine physician for the federal government, and as a flight medic with the San Bernardino County Sheriff, performing high-stakes helicopter-based Search and Rescue (SAR) missions.

Dr. Katzer's journey to saving lives in the field began humbly as an EMT and lifeguard during college. He loved the excitement of emergency medicine and the variation that inherently comes with job, but it was while volunteering in national parks that he discovered his true passion: wilderness medicine and EMS.

Pursuing a fellowship in EMS is highly sought after for larger EMS services and is a requirement to work as a medical director for a larger EMS system. EMS is a one-year fellowship post residency that delves deep into the world of prehospital medicine, operations, logistics, and education. Physicians who complete this training obtain significant hands-on experience in the field alongside first responders and get to experience the world of pre-hospital medicine that most will never see. It is the perfect training to get to work with firefighters, paramedics, and other first responders if that is part of a physician’s calling.

As the Medical Director for a large fire department, Dr. Katzer's work varies daily, but generally includes educating EMTs and Paramedics, reviewing medical protocols, quality control and improvement, and county/state EMS policy. Dr. Katzer finds this job particularly rewarding due to the opportunity to be more involved with the community in addition to providing a vital link between the emergency department and the people who bring in the most critical patients. He also finds the balance between hospital medicine and pre-hospital medicine keeps him engaged and gives him a different kind of work variety than he gets just working in an emergency department.

Helicopter Search and Rescue (SAR)

As a member of the specialized Helicopter Search and Rescue (SAR) team, Dr. Katzer is at the forefront of saving lives in the rugged and remote wilderness of San Bernardino County. Alongside his skilled team of EMTs, Paramedics and Flight Nurses, Dr. Katzer is always ready to respond to any emergency, day or night.

Based at the local airport, the SAR team's Classic Bell UH-1 and Airbus H125  helicopters are on standby, ready to take off at a moment's notice to search for lost hikers, injured climbers, or missing outdoor enthusiasts. But the team's expertise doesn't end there. They also provide medical support to the Sheriff's deputies and assist fire agencies with aerial fire fighting.

When called into action, Dr. Katzer uses his extensive training as a flight medic and hoist rescue expert to provide lifesaving care to those in need, in the most austere environments. Whether he's being lowered from the helicopter by a hoist to reach patients in remote locations or stabilizing them on the side of a mountain before hoisting them back into the helicopter for further medical care, Dr. Katzer is a true lifesaver.

With Dr. Katzer and his team in the sky, people can adventure easy knowing they have the best possible protection and support in the event of an emergency in the wilderness.

Photo: Sheriff’s Aviation [@SBCSDAviation]. December 21, 2018