History
Street medics have a long history. We tend to trace our lineage to the civil rights era (though certainly it goes further back); to the Medical Committee for Human Rights, the health work of the Black Panther Party and the Young Lords. This work carried into the anti-globalization era struggles when several of our members were trained and bring that tradition to the medics of today. Street medics go where EMS and the state will not in order to care for those engaged in struggle. We are not neutral. We are there to support the fight.
As an active street medic in the collective often says, there is a difference between being a medic in the streets and being a street medic. It's more than just learning skills; it's a different philosophy of care. In our trainings and in the street, we emphasize consent, do no harm, and non-cooperation with police and the state.
How We Organize
We are currently a horizontally-organized collective built around a rotating spokescouncil model with working groups focused on training, outreach, supplies, and others as needed.
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The spokescouncil meets twice monthly to address the day-to-day tasks of the organizations, while larger topics for discussion and decision-making are brought to the collective as a whole at monthly all-medic meetings. Working groups typically meet monthly. Meeting times are listed on our public calendar.
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In order to join the collective and maintain good standing, medics should:
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Complete the 20hr or bridge trainings
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Run with an experienced medic at least three times and debrief after
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Be vouched by others as a medic that is safe and good to work
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Adhere to general ethical and safety standards
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Attend one all-medic meeting every three months
We respond to events when invited by community partners and organizers. We have worked to support community wellness at a wide range of events, from block parties to demonstrations and the 2020 uprising.