Page 90 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Fall 2016

Force Protection Medical Support at
National Special Security Events

Experience From the 2016 Republican and
Democratic National Conventions

Nelson Tang, MD; Asa M. Margolis, DO; Nathan Woltman, MD; Matthew J. Levy, DO

formally declared National Special Security Event US officials, foreign dignitaries, and the size and signifi-
A (NSSE) presents a uniquely complex and multifac- cance of the event itself. In addition to the Secret Service,
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eted public safety challenge of monumental proportions. key identified agency roles include those of the Federal
Beyond the measurable impacts on host venues and local Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Federal Emergency
jurisdictions, the massive deployment of regional, state, Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of
and federal law enforcement personnel to these events Health & Human Services (HHS). A myriad of other
creates the potential for additional demands on already federal agencies have critical involvement in support of
strained emergency healthcare infrastructures. Dedicated NSSEs. Each agency’s specific roles and responsibilities
medical support for law enforcement during extended are outlined in the National Response Framework and
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operations has previously been described. Proactive National Incident Management System. This concept
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force protection health and safety countermeasures re- of operations allows for effective multiagency integra-
main a mission priority that augments law enforcement tion and cooperation that transcends levels of govern-
personnel safety and security operations during an NSSE. ment and has enhanced prior operational successes.
Medical considerations surrounding an NSSE is an im-
National Special Security Events
mense undertaking that must account for contingency
One unique type of law enforcement extended opera- planning involving attendees, participants, employees,
tion is the NSSE. In May 1998, Presidential Decision public safety personnel, and the general public. Success-
Directive 62 (PDD-62) was issued, formalizing and de- ful event management must include a thorough under-
lineating the roles and responsibilities of federal agen- standing of the local host public safety infrastructure
cies in the development of security plans for major and cannot be accomplished solely through the appli-
events. In December 2000, Presidential Protection Act cation of funding and federal agency coordination. Ef-
of 2000 became public law and included an amendment fective integration of key existing emergency healthcare
to Title 18, USC §3056, which codified PDD-62. When resources is critical to the overall success of an NSSE.
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an event is designated by the Secretary of Homeland The enormity of the contributions and commitments of
Security as an NSSE, the United States Secret Service local, regional and state elements including emergency
(USSS) assumes the role as lead agency for the design medical services (EMS), acute care hospitals, resource
and implementation of the operational security plan. health systems, and public health agencies to NSSE op-
The USSS maintains a core strategy to carry out security erations cannot be overemphasized or sufficiently ac-
operations, which relies heavily on established partner- claimed. Further, beyond the centralized efforts by the
ships with law enforcement and public safety officials at USSS to deploy and coordinate force protection medical
the local, state, and federal levels. 3 support resources during an NSSE, other agencies may
also provide internal support using individualized strat-
Previous NSSEs have included summits of world lead- egies for their own personnel.
ers, major sporting events (Olympics and Super Bowl),
State of the Union addresses, and presidential nominat- Force Protection Medical Support
ing conventions and inaugurations. Factors considered
when designating an event as an NSSE include, but are Law enforcement missions characterized by extended
not limited to, anticipated attendance by high-ranking operations are increasingly prevalent. Beyond tactical

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