Acute Care Surgery 
The Mobile Trauma Unit
Our mobile trauma unit (MTU) is the only unit of its sophistication level in New York. Intended to supplement EMS and other field units provided for an event by furnishing access to advanced surgical/operative care, the MTU evaluates and treats patients who may not be able to be moved for a variety of reasons (i.e., pinned down by a building collapse, a subway or industrial accident, and/or because of high-level security issues). Patients are then transported to a trauma center by local EMS. The unit is comprised of a voluntary core group of surgeons, emergency medicine physicians, nurses, paramedics, EMTs, and ancillary staff. All members are trained in the use of biological, chemical, and nuclear protective equipment.
The unit provides medical support to law enforcement entities including the United States Secret Service, Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, and others during national security events, high-level warrant executions, and training exercises. During the last three years, the MTU has been activated for the United Nations General Assembly, Presidential visits to New York City, and most recently, the papal visit to New York City. There is currently no other organized medical team with comparable on-scene surgical capabilities.
