Hey Spenac, is this you?

[JakeEMTP]

I wasn't sure where to post this as I don't think it belongs in the "funny stuff" section.

http://www.newschannel5.tv/2008/7/3/993932...-Drug-Smugglers

Call me naive, I had know idea this was going on. I have heard about ambulances being used to transport illegal aliens, but not drugs. Vitalline, the company that had their ambulance stolen, says they will co-operate fully with the investigation. I truly hope it was indeed stolen. I would hate to think a member of my profession would do this.

Another reason to secure your vehicle. Then it won't be stolen thus curtailing such activity. The criminal element will always find a way. Lets not make it easy for them though.

[spenac]

Darn you caught me. :twisted: :twisted:

But seriously we had to stop allowing people to bring anything with them because they were using us to get drugs past check points. Suitcases full of dope, grandmas purse with a small brick. Hey everyone trys to make a buck. We were approached on phone and asked if we would start leaving ambulance outside. They would place their stuff in whichever compartment we left unlocked and we would never know as when we were in the hospital they would unload. I was surprised DEA when we reported this did not have us set people up. Glad they didn't I like living.

So far no one has ever taken our ambulance, which would be easy as policy is that on scene ambulance stays running and we do not have the ignition where you can take key with it running.

[itku2er]

Wow good story so spenac you all dont allow patients to bring any personal items with them? Isnt that violation to them? Some OLD people carry all the money they have in their purses, and if its left behind they may fear it will stolen.

[spenac]

Wow good story so spenac you all dont allow patients to bring any personal items with them? Isnt that violation to them? Some OLD people carry all the money they have in their purses, and if its left behind they may fear it will stolen.

We will allow a purse if it is opened up. We will also let them place one change of clothes in a plastic bag. Sure some small amounts still get carried past us. It is no violation as we are not denying medical care. This serves as a protection as it stops some attempts at abusing the EMS system and leaving our area without an ambulance.

[Richard B the EMT]

Just throwing into the mix, my last plane crash was a 1930s model 4 seater single engine. All but the pilot's chair removed. Seems the carburetor froze, and the plane lost power, nearly hitting a 25 story senior's building.

The pilot made a really nice dead stick landing on wet sand, near the Atlantic Beach Bridge, but then beat feet. Nassau County 4th Precinct LEOs caught him a few hours later.

How does this fit into the string?

The plane's cargo area, and the space normally taken up by the 3 removed seats? Full of illegal recreational pharmaceuticals!

Normally, when I hear of stolen ambulances, I think back to the Lebanon Marine barracks, using an ambulance, and the first bombing attempt on the World Trade Center, using a rented truck. The vehicle becomes both the bomb, and it's own delivery system.

Also, as who is going to stop an ambulance traveling lights and siren, I have seen Palestinian videos showing a Mideast area ambulance pulling up at a building, and, instead of local EMTs or Paramedics coming out with medical gear, a group of men in stereotype Hamas clothing, carrying AK 47s, and Russian designed RPGs, and rush into the building, obviously, with evil on their minds.

[dougd]

Normally I'm more concerned with various folks out there on the street looking at us as a mobile drug box and trying to get in and remove said drugs when we are on scene. (Or as happened last month, someone deciding to throw a couple of 9mm holes in one of our MICU's as it went down the street.) I never did consider our patients trying to use us to smuggling their illegal wares. Either it isn't happening much up here, or I've been dangerously naive.

[spenac]

Normally I'm more concerned with various folks out there on the street looking at us as a mobile drug box and trying to get in and remove said drugs when we are on scene. (Or as happened last month, someone deciding to throw a couple of 9mm holes in one of our MICU's as it went down the street.) I never did consider our patients trying to use us to smuggling their illegal wares. Either it isn't happening much up here, or I've been dangerously naive.

I live on the border an have to go thru a checkpoint about 50 miles north on the way to the hospital. So drugs and humans seem to need a way past and they no the ambulance just gets waved by.

[Atrox Charmer]

Wow! I too must be naive, I get drug seekers but not drug smugglers...as far as I knew. That is food for thought however. It is a shame for it to even be a concern, to have to worry about being taken advantage of at every turn.

[Richard B the EMT]

This in from AOL and FEMA, and a followup to my last posting on this string...

Emergency Management and Response

Information Sharing and Analysis Center

(EMR-ISAC)

INFOGRAM 26-08 July 10, 2008

NOTE: This INFOGRAM will be distributed weekly to provide members of the Emergency Services Sector with information concerning the protection of their critical infrastructures. For further information, contact the Emergency Management and Response- Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) at (301) 447-1325 or by e-mail at emr-isac@dhs.gov.

Physical Security Planning

Recently, a security firm tested the physical security of numerous public and private organizations at several U.S. locations. Sometimes using uniform components from surplus stores and forged identification badges, the researchers were able to gain access to facilities 98 percent of the time. Access was granted without an escort on many occasions even when the test team members had very obvious errors to the clothing they were wearing, the identification they were carrying, and the explanations they were giving.

The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) acknowledges that Emergency Services Sector (ESS) personnel are typically very helpful and accommodating. Outstanding service to the community and its citizens is abundantly prevalent among first responders. Unfortunately, current realities make these positive mannerisms a potential vulnerability that provides significant advantages to those planning thefts or terrorist attacks.

Recognizing the interdependent relationship between critical infrastructure protection (CIP) and physical security, the EMR-ISAC examined the basic measures of a time-efficient, cost-effective, and common sense approach to physical security by ESS departments and agencies. The following is a summary of preventive actions from various sources for the consideration of ESS leaders responsible for any type of physical location:

· Acquire the assistance of a physical security specialist (usually from a law enforcement agency) to conduct annual physical security vulnerability assessments to determine where improvements are needed.

· Randomly inspect the security and condition of all facilities, storage areas, and HVAC systems.

· Increase observation and scrutiny of all facilities, storage, and surrounding areas.

· Keep all doors (including apparatus bay doors) and windows closed and locked unless these access points are continuously monitored so intruders can be immediately intercepted.

· Use appropriate locking systems for all access points (e.g., single cylinder locks for solid core doors and double cylinder locks for doors with glass).

· Obtain a monitored security alert system for buildings, storage areas, etc., that are not always occupied and in regular use.

· Guarantee that all apparatus, vehicles, and equipment maintained in exterior parking or storage areas are always locked when unattended.

· Periodically test security systems, back-up power sources, and emergency communications.

· Initiate and enforce a reliable identification system for department personnel and property.

· Develop inspection practices for incoming deliveries including postal packages and mail.

· Screen all visitors (including vendors) and deny entry to anyone who refuses inspection.

· Implement a dependable visitor/vendor identification and accountability system that includes escorting non-department personnel as much as practicable.

· Restrict access to communication centers and equipment including computer systems and networks to the few essential department personnel and authorized technicians.

· Prepare an SOP containing the organization's physical security policy and practices.

· Train department personnel regarding the application and enforcement of all physical security measures.

Threat Advisory System Response Guideline

The American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) recently released the second edition of the “Threat Advisory System Response Guideline.” ASIS developed the Guideline to provide organizations with security measures they might implement during elevated alert levels announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Guideline is divided into four major sections that correspond to threat levels of the DHS Homeland Security Advisory System. Each section includes three subcategories: emergency response, personnel protection, and physical protection.

When reviewing the Guideline, the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) learned that the document is a quality tool for Emergency Services Sector (ESS) departments and agencies. The document will enable ESS organizations to decide upon and provide a security architecture characterized by appropriate awareness, prevention, preparedness, and response to changes in threat conditions. Its detailed worksheet format will help decision makers determine those steps that apply to specific security environments.

ASIS developed the Guideline as an initiative to provide private business and industry a methodology for prompt consideration of possible actions that could be implemented based upon changes in the Homeland Security Advisory System. The document’s overarching objective is to balance the need for a process both applicable and understandable to a large portion of the private sector, while also providing sufficient detail to be of practical use to the organization.

The EMR-ISAC suggests that this Guideline has planning and operating value for emergency services organizations. Therefore, it can be seen and downloaded at the following link:

http://www.asisonline.org/guidelines/guidelinesthreat.pdf (856 KB, 36 pp.).