While we’re on the subject of stolen ambulances, let me add one more point.  There is way, way too much laxity when it comes to deterring terrorist activities.  Over the past several years our government has done such a remarkable job of exposing and terminating terrorist plots inside the country that people have become complacent and even forgetful about what is going on.

Practically all fire and rescue services, large and small, have been applying for Home Security grants to be able to upgrade their equipment and readiness to respond to terrorist acts.  But we also have to be pro-active in taking measures to eliminate the barbarians’ opportunities to launch an action.  And part of these actions include disabling the first-responders prior to committing an event.  More and more, as time goes by, we are seeing firehouses being left vulnerable by having the doors open, or unlocked.  Trucks left unattended on the front ramp, etc.

And of course, leaving ambulances unsecured.  If you stop and think about it, you’ll recall that one of the barbarians’ favorite ploys is to use an ambulance as a conveyance for bombs and/or other bad stuff including more people.  If an ambulance is cruising along with lights and siren, they are casually admitted to otherwise secured areas.  And that is why they are chosen.

If that sounds too much like an adventure film for you, then you haven’t been paying attention.  Does your department get those FBI updates on suspicious activities that are actually taking place?  If so, does that information get passed on down to the station level where the awareness is most needed?  They are constantly getting reports of suspicious people approaching crews at hospitals with questions about their equipment, routines and such that a normal person would not be asking.

They are probing, looking for weak spots and trying to establish routines that can be emulated or taken advantage of.  And they are here.  These are creatures that are dedicated to causing carnage and destruction, even at the expense of their own miserable lives.  And they are salted around in every county in the country.  While you’re busy trying to grab one of those Homeland Security grants, it behooves all of us to also practice homeland security.

Now let’s get the equipment checked out.  I’ll go unlock the coffee.

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