As the global pandemic continues, we have received isolated reports of suspicious activity that appears to be an attempt to gain access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on board EMS units.
Recently, a GMR ambulance crew encountered an individual who stated that someone had been shot and and they wanted our crew to go help. The crew called 911. When the police arrived, they found no one had been shot or evidence of any incident, at all. The police advised this has been occurring recently to divert responders away from ambulances/law-enforcement vehicles to steal PPE and belongings.
Valuable Vehicle Safety Tips to Remember
· Pay attention to your surroundings at all times
· Stay in contact with your partners
· Ensure that, when units are left unattended, all doors and compartments are locked and your personal belongings are secure
· Do not leave PPE or personal items visible to bystanders (i.e. lying on seats, dashboards, etc.)
· Ensure facilities (deployment areas, stations, air bases, etc.) are secure, especially areas where PPE is stored
· When possible, park units in high-visibility areas with good lighting and/or consider assigning one person to monitor the security of the vehicle
· Report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement immediately
As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Thanks and let's be safe out there.