About Us

Our Tactical Medicine/Active Shooter (TMAS) instructors provide fundamental tactical and medical instruction for Law Enforcement, by Law Enforcement.  Our cadre of 27 instructors come from several law enforcement agencies and military backgrounds and have specialized training in various disciplines, including Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Arrest and Control, Defensive Tactics, Use of Force/De-Escalation, Firearms Instruction, and various levels of EMS support (First Responder, EMT, Paramedic). Our instructors also have backgrounds in the delivery of tactical medicine as well as active shooter response training. TMAS instructors are committed to providing quality and professional instruction in preparing law enforcement personnel for critical events.

Salvador (Sal) Cortez - Course Director

Sal has a long-standing passion for training and providing law enforcement and Emergency Medical Services (EMS).  He developed the TMAS course to address the growing and unmet need for Tac Med/Active Shooter response training through realistic, scenario-based training. Sal’s career has spanned over 40 years in both law enforcement, and as an Advanced Life Support (ALS) care provider.  He worked 8 years as an ambulance paramedic in the Stockton area, where he responded to his first of two "Active Shooter" events, responding to the Cleveland Elementary School Massacre in 1989, one month before entering the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Academy.  Three years later, he responded to his second Active Shooter event at Lindhurst High School, as a CHP Officer/Paramedic.

Sal’s 27 years with the CHP included 8 years in CHP Air Operations as a helicopter Flight Officer/Paramedic, and several years workings as a tactical medic, assigned to large-scale tactical deployments throughout the state.  He was also assigned for 3 years to the Governor’s Protective Detail, providing security and ALS care for the Governor and first family.  He spent 8 years as a Patrol Officer, including 6 years in the CHP Stockton Area, assigned to several joint task-force operations, combatting drugs and gun violence.  In 2010, Sal was promoted to Sergeant and assigned to the CHP Academy in West Sacramento, as the EMS Unit Supervisor. There, he oversaw several state-wide and Academy EMS programs, provided cadet instruction, and helped in the development of an Academy Tactical Medicine training course, while also serving as a POST subject matter expert in the redevelopment of LD-34, First Aid/CPR/AED, and tactical medicine.

After retirement in 2015, Sal re-entered law enforcement in 2017 as a Deputy Sheriff with the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, assigned to their Training Division. There, he developed and served as lead instructor for two POST certified courses in First Aid/CPR/AED and Tactical Casualty Care.  He also developed and implemented the Agency's intra-nasal Narcan and Cal/OSHA compliant, Aerosol Transmissible Disease Program, while also serving as a firearms instructor. Since 2019, Sal has served as a faculty instructor at the International School of Tactical Medicine (ISTM), a 2-week advanced Tactical Medicine course for both Law Enforcement, Physicians and other medical professionals. 

Sal founded TacMed Services in 2021, where he continues his passion to provide critical training for professional first responders and civilian personnel.

Norm Sells - Instructor

Norm began his career in public service, having worked three years as an EMT and Paramedic for American Medical Response, providing care in the Sacramento region before becoming an Officer with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in 2009. After Academy graduation, Norm was first assigned to the Marin County CHP area, working as a patrol officer for three years, before being selected as an instructor in 2012 to the CHP Academy’s Emergency Medical Services Unit (EMS) in West Sacramento. While serving in the EMS Unit, he provided cadets and in-service Officers with EMS instruction while also providing Academy on-site basic and Advanced Life Support (ALS) care. Norm was also instrumental in helping to develop an Academy Tactical Medicine (Tac Med) scenario-based training course that redefined how CHP personnel would respond to critical incidents.

Additionally, to ensure that all CHP personnel had the essential equipment when providing Tac Med care, Norm worked to secure much needed medical upgrades, such as tourniquets, pressure bandages, and chest seals, which have been used throughout the state by CHP Officers, to save countless lives. In 2016, Norm was assigned to the CHP Capitol Protection Section as a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. As a member of the SWAT team, he maintained his Paramedic license and certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and International Trauma Life Support, supporting his collateral responsibility as a team Paramedic. Norm has also received advanced training as a High Angle Rescue Technician, Close Quarters Battle (CQB) operator, and Chemical Agent Instructor.  

Ben Machado - Instructor

Ben is a Sergeant with the Placer County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) and has over 26 years of law enforcement experience. He’s worked in various special assignments, including nine years in drug interdiction as a narcotics detective and two years as a narcotics supervisor with a California state task force, conducting local, state, and federal investigations, leading to numerous convictions. In addition, Ben developed his tactical experience as a seventeen consecutive year member of the PCSO Special Enforcement Team (SET), including eight years as the Team Leader.  During those 17 years, the team conducted countless high risk warrant service operations and responded to numerous critical events.

Ben’s passion for training stems from 15 years as a member of the PCSO training cadre, providing instruction in the critical areas of Use of Force, Firearms Instruction, Law Enforcement Tactics and Tactical Medicine support. He also spent three years as the Training Division Supervisor, where he oversaw Agency training, including the facilitation and instruction of all Advanced Officer training. Ben’s interest in medicine also includes a 22-year background as a certified Emergency Medical Technician, including six years with the fire service, responding to various medical emergencies, vehicle accidents, and fires. Ben has a strong passion and commitment to ensuring that in today’s environment, law enforcement officers are properly trained to respond effectively to critical events.