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An ambulance security New Year’s resolution

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A pursuit of a stolen ambulance came to an end after the suspect drove it right to the Columbia County [Florida] Sheriff’s Office.

Columbia County Sheriff’s Office

In early December, an ambulance was stolen in Columbia County, Florida, and following a police pursuit, in a bizarre conclusion to the chase, the ambulance came to a stop on, of all places, the front lawn of the Sheriff’s Department. It was highlighted by many as a story you just couldn’t make up.

A story we don’t have to make up is the rate of ambulance thefts that occur around the country. Over the last 3 months, the AAA/AIMHI Media Tracker has recorded a total of 28 stolen ambulances.

The excuse that thieves target headquarters and depots during off-duty hours to pilfer vehicles doesn’t hold water. In these cases, the stolen vehicles were on duty and in active service—whether at a scene or a hospital. The vulnerability of these vehicles to theft is attributed to their accessibility, often left unattended, unlocked and sometimes even running—an open invitation for anyone with the inclination to take the vehicle or make a swift escape.

Many of us have found ourselves in situations in which the urgency of responding to a scene or transporting a patient takes precedence over securing the vehicle. However, a straightforward and cost-effective immobilization device could prevent the financial and reputational cost of losing a vehicle.

The Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) mandates a standard for accredited agencies to have a written policy/procedure to prevent vehicle theft. These agencies must provide copies of the policy/procedure detailing how vehicles are secured when unattended. If anti-theft devices are utilized, agencies must present evidence and descriptions of how these devices meet the standard. One effective anti-theft device in use with ambulance fleets is the Tremco Anti-Theft system. This system allows a vehicle to remain unattended while running, enabling the operation of emergency lights and other electronics, but prevents movement unless the immobilization device is disengaged. The average ambulance thief is unlikely to be acquainted with this process, acting as a strong deterrent.

Beyond customized devices for public safety vehicles, a simple online search reveals various systems that can be seamlessly integrated into a truck’s electrical system to immobilize it, ensuring only authorized operators can drive. Implementing such systems may not only prevent embarrassment, police chases and spike strip deployment but, more importantly, protect providers, other drivers and pedestrians. Let’s resolve in 2024 to secure and immobilize our trucks.

Stolen vehicles

Date

Location

State

Stolen from

9/14/2023

Spartanburg

NC

Stolen from hospital

9/15/2023

Norfolk

VA

Stolen from hospital

9/15/2023

Kalinhi

HI

Stolen from scene

9/19/2023

Jefferson Parish

LA

Stolen from hospital

9/19/2023

New Orleans

LA

Stolen from hospital

9/19/2023

St Louis

MO

Stolen from hospital

9/20/2023

Henry County

GA

Unknown location

9/21/2023

Greenville

AL

Stolen from a Taco Bell

9/30/2023

Nashville

TN

Stolen from hospital

9/30/2023

Nashville

TN

Stolen from scene

10/6/2023

Atlanta

GA

Unknown location

10/7/2023

Statesville

NC

Stolen from hospital

10/9/2023

Omaha

NB

Stolen from hospital

10/10/2023

Cambria County

PA

Stolen from hospital

10/10/2023

Mooresville

NC

Stolen from hospital

10/17/2023

Lannet

AL

Stolen from hospital

10/31/2023

Philadelphia

PA

Stolen from hospital

11/5/2023

Burlington

VT

Stolen from scene

11/6/2023

Phoenix

AZ

Stolen from scene

11/8/2023

York

PA

Stolen from scene

11/8/2023

Sissonville

WV

Stolen from scene

11/9/2023

Washington, D.C.

DC

Stolen from scene

11/10/2023

Dayton

OH

Stolen from scene

11/17/2023

Washington, D.C.

DC

Unknown location

11/20/2023

Williamson

KY

Stolen from hospital

11/26/2023

San Antonio

TX

Stolen from hospital

11/30/2023

Gardner

MA

Unknown location (Recorded on violence tab as well)

12/11/2023

Lake City

FL

Stolen from scene

Data/courtesy AAA/AIMHI Media Tracker

Returning to the Columbia County ambulance theft, the situation could have taken a tragic turn. Deputies, in search of the stolen ambulance, mistakenly pulled over another ambulance going about its normal business. They ordered the surprised EMT out at gunpoint, who, along with his partner and a patient, clarified the misunderstanding. Fortunately, it was swiftly realized that this was not the suspect vehicle. However, envisioning the potential consequences had the situation escalated due to an unexpected move or gesture, it is a scenario too dire to contemplate, emphasizing the urgency of addressing vehicle security in our operations.


Prevent your ambulance from being stolen and potentially causing harm to the thief or others

Rob Lawrence has been a leader in civilian and military EMS for over a quarter of a century. He is currently the director of strategic implementation for PRO EMS and its educational arm, Prodigy EMS, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and part-time executive director of the California Ambulance Association.

He previously served as the chief operating officer of the Richmond Ambulance Authority (Virginia), which won both state and national EMS Agency of the Year awards during his 10-year tenure. Additionally, he served as COO for Paramedics Plus in Alameda County, California.

Prior to emigrating to the U.S. in 2008, Rob served as the COO for the East of England Ambulance Service in Suffolk County, England, and as the executive director of operations and service development for the East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust. Rob is a former Army officer and graduate of the UK’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served worldwide in a 20-year military career encompassing many prehospital and evacuation leadership roles.

Rob is a board member of the Academy of International Mobile Healthcare Integration (AIMHI) as well as chair of the American Ambulance Association’s State Association Forum. He writes and podcasts for EMS1 and is a member of the EMS1 Editorial Advisory Board. Connect with him on Twitter.