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Related Experiment Videos

Ambulance snatching: how vulnerable are we?

Donald W Alves1, Richard A Bissell

  • 1Department of Surgery, Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

The Journal of Emergency Medicine
|August 7, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Ambulance crews often leave vehicles unsecured in emergency bays, increasing risks of theft or terrorism. Enhanced security training is crucial for emergency medical services to protect these vital assets.

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Area of Science:

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Public Health Security
  • Transportation Safety

Background:

  • Ambulances are critical emergency medical services (EMS) assets.
  • Concerns exist regarding potential hijacking of ambulances for terrorism.
  • Security vulnerabilities in ambulance operations require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To observe and assess security-related behaviors of ambulance crews and their vehicles.
  • To identify potential vulnerabilities in ambulance security within Emergency Department (ED) bays.
  • To evaluate the risk of ambulances being targeted for disruption or theft.

Main Methods:

  • Observational study of ambulance crews and vehicles in ED ambulance bays.
  • Data collection at trauma and suburban EDs across multiple states.

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  • Recorded 151 ambulance arrivals, noting time present, engine status, door status, attendance, lock status, and non-crew visitors.

    • Main Results:

    • Ambulances spent an average of 21.5 minutes in bays.
    • Significant security lapses observed: 23.2% engine running, 26.5% doors open, 90.1% unattended, 84.1% unlocked.
    • 16.6% of ambulances had non-crew visitors, indicating potential security risks.

    Conclusions:

    • Identified numerous security issues that could make ambulances attractive targets for theft or disruption.
    • Findings suggest widespread vulnerabilities in ambulance security practices nationwide.
    • Recommended that EMS agencies implement personnel training to improve ambulance security.