If you need help in a hurry, you count on police and fire and emergency medical technicians. But coming to help you can be dangerous for them. That's why this week, rescuers from across the country are training in Savannah. The training for specialized EMTs. It's teaching them how to work all types of unforeseen events, from chemical and biological weapons to assisting a SWAT team in a hostile environment.

Many of us picture EMTs driving ambulances or flying helicopters, using lifesaving skills en route to the hospital. But this week, EMTs from across the country are sharpening their tactical medic skills. Detective Irving Givens serves as the Gary, Indiana, SWAT team's paramedic.

"Our main goal is to have somebody right there on the scene trained in combat medic-type deal. Sort of what the military has," he said.

Now they're training for hostile environments and hostage situations.

"Some of the stuff we're teaching is from personal experience," instructor Lt. Gary Glemboski told us. "We've run into several unique situations here in Savannah that we've had to use tactical paramedics, we're trying to pass that on."

One drill in a house simulates that the Emergency Response Team has gone in to secure the site. But they've found two people injured, and they don't know if they're good guys or bad guys. The EMTs need to go in for a rescue.

"A care under fire is going to be a lot different, a lot more different," said Lt. Glemboski. "We try to simulate those scenarios so that they can get used to it. If they go back to a tactical team, they'll know how to operate."

Each rescue is critiqued, so the men can learn from their mistakes and be prepared when responding to a hostile environment. Yesterday was day two of the training. They'll rack up some 50 hours by the end of the week. Friday, they'll be doing underwater training, as well as learning how to act as hostage negotiators.

Reported by: Holly Bristow, hbristow@wtoc.com