RE: Teens face charges after stealing ambulance - Arlington / Grand Prairie

[Guest guest]

It’s not so much the fact that a cop would ticket as it is that an attorney,

judge, or jury would find it reasonable to excuse the actions of the

offender just because the vehicle was not secured. Haven’t you heard the

one about the guy who stole a car that was running in front of the owner’s

home, then was injured in a wreck shortly after? The homeowner supposedly

was found responsible for making the vehicle available to the offender.

Bullard BS, LP

Operations Manager

Lubbock Aid Ambulance

<http://www.lubbockambulance.com/> http://www.lubbockambulance.com

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of ExLngHrn@...

Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 11:11 AM

To:

Subject: Re: Teens face charges after stealing ambulance -

Arlington / Grand Prairie

I'd have to do some research, but aren't emergency vehicles operating during

an emergency exempt from most traffic laws? And what cop would ticket an

EMS crew for leaving the unit running? Seems like the defense of necessity

might apply.

Although I'm sure this statute could be a gold mine for Frazer and any other

companies that sell an ambulance with an on-board generator. <GRIN>

-Wes Ogilvie, MPA, JD, EMT-B

Austin, Texas

Teens face charges after stealing ambulance -

Arlington / Grand Prairie

Teens face charges after stealing ambulance 09:28 AM CST on Monday,

January 9, 2006 WFAA-TV Two teens face charges this morning after

allegedly stealing an ambulance.

An Arlington ambulance crew was transferring a patient in Grand Prairie.

When they came out, their ambulance was gone.

Using GPS, police tracked it to Grapevine.

There were no patients inside the vehicle at the time it was stolen.

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaaa060109_lj

_ambulance.5e23f2a1.html

This happens several times a year. I would just like to remind everyone

of the following from the Texas Transportation Code.

§ 545.404. UNATTENDED MOTOR VEHICLE. An operator may

not leave the vehicle unattended without:

(1) stopping the engine;

(2) locking the ignition;

(3) removing the key from the ignition;

(4) setting the parking brake effectively; and

(5) if standing on a grade, turning the front wheels to

the curb or side of the highway.

E. Tate, LP

Whitehouse, Texas

What's stopping you from joining EMSAT? http://www.TexasEMSAT.org

---------------------------------

Yahoo! Photos - Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover

Photo Books. You design it and we'll bind it!

[Guest guest]

It’s not so much the fact that a cop would ticket as it is that an attorney,

judge, or jury would find it reasonable to excuse the actions of the

offender just because the vehicle was not secured. Haven’t you heard the

one about the guy who stole a car that was running in front of the owner’s

home, then was injured in a wreck shortly after? The homeowner supposedly

was found responsible for making the vehicle available to the offender.

Bullard BS, LP

Operations Manager

Lubbock Aid Ambulance

<http://www.lubbockambulance.com/> http://www.lubbockambulance.com

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of ExLngHrn@...

Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 11:11 AM

To:

Subject: Re: Teens face charges after stealing ambulance -

Arlington / Grand Prairie

I'd have to do some research, but aren't emergency vehicles operating during

an emergency exempt from most traffic laws? And what cop would ticket an

EMS crew for leaving the unit running? Seems like the defense of necessity

might apply.

Although I'm sure this statute could be a gold mine for Frazer and any other

companies that sell an ambulance with an on-board generator. <GRIN>

-Wes Ogilvie, MPA, JD, EMT-B

Austin, Texas

Teens face charges after stealing ambulance -

Arlington / Grand Prairie

Teens face charges after stealing ambulance 09:28 AM CST on Monday,

January 9, 2006 WFAA-TV Two teens face charges this morning after

allegedly stealing an ambulance.

An Arlington ambulance crew was transferring a patient in Grand Prairie.

When they came out, their ambulance was gone.

Using GPS, police tracked it to Grapevine.

There were no patients inside the vehicle at the time it was stolen.

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaaa060109_lj

_ambulance.5e23f2a1.html

This happens several times a year. I would just like to remind everyone

of the following from the Texas Transportation Code.

§ 545.404. UNATTENDED MOTOR VEHICLE. An operator may

not leave the vehicle unattended without:

(1) stopping the engine;

(2) locking the ignition;

(3) removing the key from the ignition;

(4) setting the parking brake effectively; and

(5) if standing on a grade, turning the front wheels to

the curb or side of the highway.

E. Tate, LP

Whitehouse, Texas

What's stopping you from joining EMSAT? http://www.TexasEMSAT.org

---------------------------------

Yahoo! Photos - Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover

Photo Books. You design it and we'll bind it!

[Guest guest]

This is one of the reasons ambulances can be bought with a built in

generator that runs the emergency lights/equipment and climate control

system with the engine turned off and the vehicle locked.....

LES POWELL

NREMT-Paramedic, HM-M, RSO, CAAS, CAI, AHA-IT

Medical, Health and Safety Specialist

TOTAL PETROCHEMICALS USA, INC.

P. O. Box 849, Port Arthur, TX 77641?0849

Hwy 366 & 32nd Street, Port Arthur, TX 77642-7901

Tel: ? Fax:

e-mail: les.powell@...

Secretary: American Society of Safety Engineers - Sabine-Neches Chapter

Board of Directors / Web Master: Groves Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Bureau

Web Master: Texas Pecan Festival

Vice Chair - Industrial Division: National Association of Emergency Medical

Technicians

This information may contain confidential and/or privileged material and

is only transmitted for the intended recipient. Any review,

retransmission, conversion to hard copy, copying, reproduction,

circulation, publication, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any

action, or omission to take action, in reliance upon this information by

persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If

you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and

delete the material from any computer, disk drive, diskette, or other

storage device or media.

" Supervisor "

Sent by:

01/10/2006 10:57

Please respond to

To: < >

cc:

Subject: RE: Teens face charges after stealing

ambulance - Arlington /

Grand Prairie

" I'm sorry that the ambulance is cold Mrs. , but the Texas Motor

Vehicle Code requires us to turn the engine off. "

" Vance, you can stop compressions to start the engine. "

" I hope no one runs into our truck while it's sitting in the middle of the

road with no lights on. "

I've got an idea. Leave your lights and your heater on while the engine

is

not running. The motor vehicle code does not require you to shut down you

electrical systems. You can keep a pair of jumper cables with you. Then

when you get out to your truck and the battery is dead, you can boost it

off

using a neighbor's car.

Yes , I know it's the law, but if you follow this line of thinking,

you

probably think that the U.S. Government is responsible for 9/11, and not

the

terrorists who committed the act. Whatever happened to personal

responsibility? Bad things happen because bad people do bad things, not

because good people give them opportunity.

(BTW, curbing the wheels and setting the brake do little to prevent theft)

Bullard BS, LP

Operations Manager

Lubbock Aid Ambulance

<http://www.lubbockambulance.com/> http://www.lubbockambulance.com

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of E. Tate

Sent: Monday, January 09, 2006 2:03 PM

To:

Subject: Teens face charges after stealing ambulance -

Arlington / Grand Prairie

Teens face charges after stealing ambulance 09:28 AM CST on Monday,

January 9, 2006 WFAA-TV Two teens face charges this morning after

allegedly stealing an ambulance.

An Arlington ambulance crew was transferring a patient in Grand Prairie.

When they came out, their ambulance was gone.

Using GPS, police tracked it to Grapevine.

There were no patients inside the vehicle at the time it was stolen.

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaaa060109_lj

_ambulance.5e23f2a1.html

This happens several times a year. I would just like to remind everyone

of the following from the Texas Transportation Code.

§ 545.404. UNATTENDED MOTOR VEHICLE. An operator may

not leave the vehicle unattended without:

(1) stopping the engine;

(2) locking the ignition;

(3) removing the key from the ignition;

(4) setting the parking brake effectively; and

(5) if standing on a grade, turning the front wheels to

the curb or side of the highway.

E. Tate, LP

Whitehouse, Texas

What's stopping you from joining EMSAT? http://www.TexasEMSAT.org

---------------------------------

Yahoo! Photos ? Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover

Photo Books. You design it and we'll bind it!

[Guest guest]

No Wes, emergency vehicles are not exempt from most traffic laws; there

are only four (4) types of permissible conduct, according to the

Transportation Code 546.001:

(1) park or stand, irrespective of another provision of this subtitle;

(2) proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, after slowing as

necessary for safe operation;

(3) exceed a maximum speed limit, except as provided by an ordinance

adopted under Section 545.365, as long as the

operator does not endanger life or property; and

(4) disregard a regulation governing the direction of movement or

turning in specified directions.

These conducts are only permissible under certain circumstances,

according to the Transportation Code 546.002:

( Section 546.001 applies only when the operator is:

(1) responding to an emergency call;

(2) pursuing an actual or suspected violator of the

law;

(3) responding to but not returning from a fire

alarm;

(4) directing or diverting traffic for public safety

purposes; or

(5) conducting a police escort.

I hope this helps.

Randell

Teens face charges after stealing ambulance -

Arlington / Grand Prairie

Teens face charges after stealing ambulance 09:28 AM CST on Monday,

January 9, 2006 WFAA-TV Two teens face charges this morning after

allegedly stealing an ambulance.

An Arlington ambulance crew was transferring a patient in Grand

Prairie.

When they came out, their ambulance was gone.

Using GPS, police tracked it to Grapevine.

There were no patients inside the vehicle at the time it was stolen.

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaaa06010

9_lj

_ambulance.5e23f2a1.html

This happens several times a year. I would just like to remind

everyone

of the following from the Texas Transportation Code.

§ 545.404. UNATTENDED MOTOR VEHICLE. An operator may

not leave the vehicle unattended without:

(1) stopping the engine;

(2) locking the ignition;

(3) removing the key from the ignition;

(4) setting the parking brake effectively; and

(5) if standing on a grade, turning the front wheels to

the curb or side of the highway.

E. Tate, LP

Whitehouse, Texas

What's stopping you from joining EMSAT? http://www.TexasEMSAT.org

---------------------------------

Yahoo! Photos - Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover

Photo Books. You design it and we'll bind it!

[Guest guest]

No Wes, emergency vehicles are not exempt from most traffic laws; there

are only four (4) types of permissible conduct, according to the

Transportation Code 546.001:

(1) park or stand, irrespective of another provision of this subtitle;

(2) proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, after slowing as

necessary for safe operation;

(3) exceed a maximum speed limit, except as provided by an ordinance

adopted under Section 545.365, as long as the

operator does not endanger life or property; and

(4) disregard a regulation governing the direction of movement or

turning in specified directions.

These conducts are only permissible under certain circumstances,

according to the Transportation Code 546.002:

( Section 546.001 applies only when the operator is:

(1) responding to an emergency call;

(2) pursuing an actual or suspected violator of the

law;

(3) responding to but not returning from a fire

alarm;

(4) directing or diverting traffic for public safety

purposes; or

(5) conducting a police escort.

I hope this helps.

Randell

Teens face charges after stealing ambulance -

Arlington / Grand Prairie

Teens face charges after stealing ambulance 09:28 AM CST on Monday,

January 9, 2006 WFAA-TV Two teens face charges this morning after

allegedly stealing an ambulance.

An Arlington ambulance crew was transferring a patient in Grand

Prairie.

When they came out, their ambulance was gone.

Using GPS, police tracked it to Grapevine.

There were no patients inside the vehicle at the time it was stolen.

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaaa06010

9_lj

_ambulance.5e23f2a1.html

This happens several times a year. I would just like to remind

everyone

of the following from the Texas Transportation Code.

§ 545.404. UNATTENDED MOTOR VEHICLE. An operator may

not leave the vehicle unattended without:

(1) stopping the engine;

(2) locking the ignition;

(3) removing the key from the ignition;

(4) setting the parking brake effectively; and

(5) if standing on a grade, turning the front wheels to

the curb or side of the highway.

E. Tate, LP

Whitehouse, Texas

What's stopping you from joining EMSAT? http://www.TexasEMSAT.org

---------------------------------

Yahoo! Photos - Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover

Photo Books. You design it and we'll bind it!

[Guest guest]

No Wes, emergency vehicles are not exempt from most traffic laws; there

are only four (4) types of permissible conduct, according to the

Transportation Code 546.001:

(1) park or stand, irrespective of another provision of this subtitle;

(2) proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, after slowing as

necessary for safe operation;

(3) exceed a maximum speed limit, except as provided by an ordinance

adopted under Section 545.365, as long as the

operator does not endanger life or property; and

(4) disregard a regulation governing the direction of movement or

turning in specified directions.

These conducts are only permissible under certain circumstances,

according to the Transportation Code 546.002:

( Section 546.001 applies only when the operator is:

(1) responding to an emergency call;

(2) pursuing an actual or suspected violator of the

law;

(3) responding to but not returning from a fire

alarm;

(4) directing or diverting traffic for public safety

purposes; or

(5) conducting a police escort.

I hope this helps.

Randell

Teens face charges after stealing ambulance -

Arlington / Grand Prairie

Teens face charges after stealing ambulance 09:28 AM CST on Monday,

January 9, 2006 WFAA-TV Two teens face charges this morning after

allegedly stealing an ambulance.

An Arlington ambulance crew was transferring a patient in Grand

Prairie.

When they came out, their ambulance was gone.

Using GPS, police tracked it to Grapevine.

There were no patients inside the vehicle at the time it was stolen.

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaaa06010

9_lj

_ambulance.5e23f2a1.html

This happens several times a year. I would just like to remind

everyone

of the following from the Texas Transportation Code.

§ 545.404. UNATTENDED MOTOR VEHICLE. An operator may

not leave the vehicle unattended without:

(1) stopping the engine;

(2) locking the ignition;

(3) removing the key from the ignition;

(4) setting the parking brake effectively; and

(5) if standing on a grade, turning the front wheels to

the curb or side of the highway.

E. Tate, LP

Whitehouse, Texas

What's stopping you from joining EMSAT? http://www.TexasEMSAT.org

---------------------------------

Yahoo! Photos - Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover

Photo Books. You design it and we'll bind it!

[Guest guest]

I stand corrected! Darn Aggie cops/medics! ;-)

-Wes

Teens face charges after stealing ambulance -

Arlington / Grand Prairie

Teens face charges after stealing ambulance 09:28 AM CST on Monday,

January 9, 2006 WFAA-TV Two teens face charges this morning after

allegedly stealing an ambulance.

An Arlington ambulance crew was transferring a patient in Grand

Prairie.

When they came out, their ambulance was gone.

Using GPS, police tracked it to Grapevine.

There were no patients inside the vehicle at the time it was stolen.

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaaa06010

9_lj

_ambulance.5e23f2a1.html

This happens several times a year. I would just like to remind

everyone

of the following from the Texas Transportation Code.

§ 545.404. UNATTENDED MOTOR VEHICLE. An operator may

not leave the vehicle unattended without:

(1) stopping the engine;

(2) locking the ignition;

(3) removing the key from the ignition;

(4) setting the parking brake effectively; and

(5) if standing on a grade, turning the front wheels to

the curb or side of the highway.

E. Tate, LP

Whitehouse, Texas

What's stopping you from joining EMSAT? http://www.TexasEMSAT.org

---------------------------------

Yahoo! Photos - Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover

Photo Books. You design it and we'll bind it!

[Guest guest]

I stand corrected! Darn Aggie cops/medics! ;-)

-Wes

Teens face charges after stealing ambulance -

Arlington / Grand Prairie

Teens face charges after stealing ambulance 09:28 AM CST on Monday,

January 9, 2006 WFAA-TV Two teens face charges this morning after

allegedly stealing an ambulance.

An Arlington ambulance crew was transferring a patient in Grand

Prairie.

When they came out, their ambulance was gone.

Using GPS, police tracked it to Grapevine.

There were no patients inside the vehicle at the time it was stolen.

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaaa06010

9_lj

_ambulance.5e23f2a1.html

This happens several times a year. I would just like to remind

everyone

of the following from the Texas Transportation Code.

§ 545.404. UNATTENDED MOTOR VEHICLE. An operator may

not leave the vehicle unattended without:

(1) stopping the engine;

(2) locking the ignition;

(3) removing the key from the ignition;

(4) setting the parking brake effectively; and

(5) if standing on a grade, turning the front wheels to

the curb or side of the highway.

E. Tate, LP

Whitehouse, Texas

What's stopping you from joining EMSAT? http://www.TexasEMSAT.org

---------------------------------

Yahoo! Photos - Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover

Photo Books. You design it and we'll bind it!

[Guest guest]

Just as a cautionary (and tongue-in-cheek) reminder, I have not been retained as

counsel by ANY member of this list. However, if the price is right....

-Wes

Teens face charges after stealing ambulance -

Arlington / Grand Prairie

Teens face charges after stealing ambulance 09:28 AM CST on Monday,

January 9, 2006 WFAA-TV Two teens face charges this morning after

allegedly stealing an ambulance.

An Arlington ambulance crew was transferring a patient in Grand Prairie.

When they came out, their ambulance was gone.

Using GPS, police tracked it to Grapevine.

There were no patients inside the vehicle at the time it was stolen.

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaaa060109_lj

_ambulance.5e23f2a1.html

This happens several times a year. I would just like to remind everyone

of the following from the Texas Transportation Code.

§ 545.404. UNATTENDED MOTOR VEHICLE. An operator may

not leave the vehicle unattended without:

(1) stopping the engine;

(2) locking the ignition;

(3) removing the key from the ignition;

(4) setting the parking brake effectively; and

(5) if standing on a grade, turning the front wheels to

the curb or side of the highway.

E. Tate, LP

Whitehouse, Texas

What's stopping you from joining EMSAT? http://www.TexasEMSAT.org

---------------------------------

Yahoo! Photos - Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover

Photo Books. You design it and we'll bind it!

[Guest guest]

Just as a cautionary (and tongue-in-cheek) reminder, I have not been retained as

counsel by ANY member of this list. However, if the price is right....

-Wes

Teens face charges after stealing ambulance -

Arlington / Grand Prairie

Teens face charges after stealing ambulance 09:28 AM CST on Monday,

January 9, 2006 WFAA-TV Two teens face charges this morning after

allegedly stealing an ambulance.

An Arlington ambulance crew was transferring a patient in Grand Prairie.

When they came out, their ambulance was gone.

Using GPS, police tracked it to Grapevine.

There were no patients inside the vehicle at the time it was stolen.

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaaa060109_lj

_ambulance.5e23f2a1.html

This happens several times a year. I would just like to remind everyone

of the following from the Texas Transportation Code.

§ 545.404. UNATTENDED MOTOR VEHICLE. An operator may

not leave the vehicle unattended without:

(1) stopping the engine;

(2) locking the ignition;

(3) removing the key from the ignition;

(4) setting the parking brake effectively; and

(5) if standing on a grade, turning the front wheels to

the curb or side of the highway.

E. Tate, LP

Whitehouse, Texas

What's stopping you from joining EMSAT? http://www.TexasEMSAT.org

---------------------------------

Yahoo! Photos - Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover

Photo Books. You design it and we'll bind it!

[Guest guest]

" Supervisor " <supervisor@l...> wrote:

>

> I am, by no means, opposed to locking up trucks when they are not in

use. I

> just find it somewhat unreasonable in the climate in which I work to

expect

> this to be done on every call.

What has the climate got to do with whether or not you lock up your

truck? And why would you lock it only when not in use? Why not lock

it when it's in use? Never presented a problem to me or my partners.

Rob

[Guest guest]

" Randell Pitts " <agfltmedic@y...> wrote:

>

> No Wes, emergency vehicles are not exempt from most traffic laws;

there

> are only four (4) types of permissible conduct, according to the

> Transportation Code 546.001:

Randell, it seems to me that those four types of permissible conduct

DO exempt you from most applicable traffic laws. Do they not? Are we

only quibbling semantics?

Rob

[Guest guest]

" Randell Pitts " <agfltmedic@y...> wrote:

>

> No Wes, emergency vehicles are not exempt from most traffic laws;

there

> are only four (4) types of permissible conduct, according to the

> Transportation Code 546.001:

Randell, it seems to me that those four types of permissible conduct

DO exempt you from most applicable traffic laws. Do they not? Are we

only quibbling semantics?

Rob

[Guest guest]

" Randell Pitts " <agfltmedic@y...> wrote:

>

> No Wes, emergency vehicles are not exempt from most traffic laws;

there

> are only four (4) types of permissible conduct, according to the

> Transportation Code 546.001:

Randell, it seems to me that those four types of permissible conduct

DO exempt you from most applicable traffic laws. Do they not? Are we

only quibbling semantics?

Rob

[Guest guest]

Semantics? Perhaps; I've honestly never looked at the TTC as a whole to

see how much it covers. But for the sake of this particular discussion,

546.001 does not exempt EV operators from the requirements regarding

stopping engines and/or securing vehicles.

Good question Rob; I'll look into it more. Thanks!

Randell

Re: Teens face charges after stealing ambulance -

Arlington / Grand Prairie

" Randell Pitts " <agfltmedic@y...> wrote:

>

> No Wes, emergency vehicles are not exempt from most traffic laws;

there

> are only four (4) types of permissible conduct, according to the

> Transportation Code 546.001:

Randell, it seems to me that those four types of permissible conduct

DO exempt you from most applicable traffic laws. Do they not? Are we

only quibbling semantics?

Rob

[Guest guest]

" According to Ehler, owner and manager of Lubbock Aid Ambulance, it is

standard procedure to leave the vehicle running, however, the driver should have

locked the door. "

Do your medics lock the doors now?

Supervisor wrote:

I am, by no means, opposed to locking up trucks when they are not in use. I

just find it somewhat unreasonable in the climate in which I work to expect

this to be done on every call. I am also aware of generators and AC-powered

climate control systems and the expense involved in obtaining them and

maintaining them. These systems are not always feasible for a small private

company. By the way, we have had an ambulance stolen (See Plainview Daily

Herald article 2/11/04,

http://www.myplainview.com/04/02112004_ambulance_chase.htm), and in this

case, as with most I’m sure, it was recovered very quickly.

Heat won't escape that fast, and due to the heat retention will re-heat in a

short time. Also, don't you carry blankets?

- Yes we carry blankets. Have you ever tried to conduct a

head-to-toe exam, start an I.V., initiate cardiac monitoring, and apply

bandaging and splinting materials without removing the blanket?

What about units parked at the station, hospital, or DQ? Why do they need

to be left running?

- I was taught years ago as a new EMT that it takes more fuel to

start a diesel than to leave it idling for 30 minutes. So leaving the truck

running is a simple matter of cost effective fuel use. Of the scenarios you

listed, it is not likely that the engine would need to be left running. Of

course, that would be why I didn’t use these scenarios in my witty, if not

somewhat sarcastic, introduction.

- What does your legal counsel say about the liability of someone

driving off and crashing an ambulance that was left running and unlocked?

If my legal counsel is Wes Ogilvie, he says we should have little, if any,

liability.

Bullard BS, LP

Operations Manager

Lubbock Aid Ambulance

<http://www.lubbockambulance.com/> http://www.lubbockambulance.com

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of E. Tate

Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 1:01 PM

To:

Subject: RE: Teens face charges after stealing ambulance -

Arlington / Grand Prairie

There are ways to secure the unit while still supplying power to heat / AC

and lights. Given that, is there any reason not to secure the unit?

Heat won't escape that fast, and due to the heat retention will re-heat in

a short time. Also, don't you carry blankets?

What about units parked at the station, hospital, or DQ? Why do they need

to be left running?

What does your legal counsel say about the liability of someone driving

off and crashing an ambulance that was left running and unlocked?

Even though we have some lee-way in the law as emergency vehicles, we are

still held to the same standard as everyone else on the road. Civil juries

tend to have no sense of humor as well.

Food for thought,

Tater

Supervisor wrote:

“I’m sorry that the ambulance is cold Mrs. , but the Texas Motor

Vehicle Code requires us to turn the engine off.”

“Vance, you can stop compressions to start the engine.”

“I hope no one runs into our truck while it’s sitting in the middle of the

road with no lights on.”

I’ve got an idea. Leave your lights and your heater on while the engine is

not running. The motor vehicle code does not require you to shut down you

electrical systems. You can keep a pair of jumper cables with you. Then

when you get out to your truck and the battery is dead, you can boost it off

using a neighbor’s car.

Yes , I know it’s the law, but if you follow this line of thinking, you

probably think that the U.S. Government is responsible for 9/11, and not the

terrorists who committed the act. Whatever happened to personal

responsibility? Bad things happen because bad people do bad things, not

because good people give them opportunity.

(BTW, curbing the wheels and setting the brake do little to prevent theft)

Bullard BS, LP

Operations Manager

Lubbock Aid Ambulance

<http://www.lubbockambulance.com/> http://www.lubbockambulance.com

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of E. Tate

Sent: Monday, January 09, 2006 2:03 PM

To:

Subject: Teens face charges after stealing ambulance -

Arlington / Grand Prairie

Teens face charges after stealing ambulance 09:28 AM CST on Monday,

January 9, 2006 WFAA-TV Two teens face charges this morning after

allegedly stealing an ambulance.

An Arlington ambulance crew was transferring a patient in Grand Prairie.

When they came out, their ambulance was gone.

Using GPS, police tracked it to Grapevine.

There were no patients inside the vehicle at the time it was stolen.

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaaa060109_lj

_ambulance.5e23f2a1.html

This happens several times a year. I would just like to remind everyone

of the following from the Texas Transportation Code.

§ 545.404. UNATTENDED MOTOR VEHICLE. An operator may

not leave the vehicle unattended without:

(1) stopping the engine;

(2) locking the ignition;

(3) removing the key from the ignition;

(4) setting the parking brake effectively; and

(5) if standing on a grade, turning the front wheels to

the curb or side of the highway.

E. Tate, LP

Whitehouse, Texas

What’s stopping you from joining EMSAT? http://www.TexasEMSAT.org

---------------------------------

Yahoo! Photos – Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover

Photo Books. You design it and we’ll bind it!

[Guest guest]

" According to Ehler, owner and manager of Lubbock Aid Ambulance, it is

standard procedure to leave the vehicle running, however, the driver should have

locked the door. "

Do your medics lock the doors now?

Supervisor wrote:

I am, by no means, opposed to locking up trucks when they are not in use. I

just find it somewhat unreasonable in the climate in which I work to expect

this to be done on every call. I am also aware of generators and AC-powered

climate control systems and the expense involved in obtaining them and

maintaining them. These systems are not always feasible for a small private

company. By the way, we have had an ambulance stolen (See Plainview Daily

Herald article 2/11/04,

http://www.myplainview.com/04/02112004_ambulance_chase.htm), and in this

case, as with most I’m sure, it was recovered very quickly.

Heat won't escape that fast, and due to the heat retention will re-heat in a

short time. Also, don't you carry blankets?

- Yes we carry blankets. Have you ever tried to conduct a

head-to-toe exam, start an I.V., initiate cardiac monitoring, and apply

bandaging and splinting materials without removing the blanket?

What about units parked at the station, hospital, or DQ? Why do they need

to be left running?

- I was taught years ago as a new EMT that it takes more fuel to

start a diesel than to leave it idling for 30 minutes. So leaving the truck

running is a simple matter of cost effective fuel use. Of the scenarios you

listed, it is not likely that the engine would need to be left running. Of

course, that would be why I didn’t use these scenarios in my witty, if not

somewhat sarcastic, introduction.

- What does your legal counsel say about the liability of someone

driving off and crashing an ambulance that was left running and unlocked?

If my legal counsel is Wes Ogilvie, he says we should have little, if any,

liability.

Bullard BS, LP

Operations Manager

Lubbock Aid Ambulance

<http://www.lubbockambulance.com/> http://www.lubbockambulance.com

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of E. Tate

Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 1:01 PM

To:

Subject: RE: Teens face charges after stealing ambulance -

Arlington / Grand Prairie

There are ways to secure the unit while still supplying power to heat / AC

and lights. Given that, is there any reason not to secure the unit?

Heat won't escape that fast, and due to the heat retention will re-heat in

a short time. Also, don't you carry blankets?

What about units parked at the station, hospital, or DQ? Why do they need

to be left running?

What does your legal counsel say about the liability of someone driving

off and crashing an ambulance that was left running and unlocked?

Even though we have some lee-way in the law as emergency vehicles, we are

still held to the same standard as everyone else on the road. Civil juries

tend to have no sense of humor as well.

Food for thought,

Tater

Supervisor wrote:

“I’m sorry that the ambulance is cold Mrs. , but the Texas Motor

Vehicle Code requires us to turn the engine off.”

“Vance, you can stop compressions to start the engine.”

“I hope no one runs into our truck while it’s sitting in the middle of the

road with no lights on.”

I’ve got an idea. Leave your lights and your heater on while the engine is

not running. The motor vehicle code does not require you to shut down you

electrical systems. You can keep a pair of jumper cables with you. Then

when you get out to your truck and the battery is dead, you can boost it off

using a neighbor’s car.

Yes , I know it’s the law, but if you follow this line of thinking, you

probably think that the U.S. Government is responsible for 9/11, and not the

terrorists who committed the act. Whatever happened to personal

responsibility? Bad things happen because bad people do bad things, not

because good people give them opportunity.

(BTW, curbing the wheels and setting the brake do little to prevent theft)

Bullard BS, LP

Operations Manager

Lubbock Aid Ambulance

<http://www.lubbockambulance.com/> http://www.lubbockambulance.com

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of E. Tate

Sent: Monday, January 09, 2006 2:03 PM

To:

Subject: Teens face charges after stealing ambulance -

Arlington / Grand Prairie

Teens face charges after stealing ambulance 09:28 AM CST on Monday,

January 9, 2006 WFAA-TV Two teens face charges this morning after

allegedly stealing an ambulance.

An Arlington ambulance crew was transferring a patient in Grand Prairie.

When they came out, their ambulance was gone.

Using GPS, police tracked it to Grapevine.

There were no patients inside the vehicle at the time it was stolen.

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaaa060109_lj

_ambulance.5e23f2a1.html

This happens several times a year. I would just like to remind everyone

of the following from the Texas Transportation Code.

§ 545.404. UNATTENDED MOTOR VEHICLE. An operator may

not leave the vehicle unattended without:

(1) stopping the engine;

(2) locking the ignition;

(3) removing the key from the ignition;

(4) setting the parking brake effectively; and

(5) if standing on a grade, turning the front wheels to

the curb or side of the highway.

E. Tate, LP

Whitehouse, Texas

What’s stopping you from joining EMSAT? http://www.TexasEMSAT.org

---------------------------------

Yahoo! Photos – Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover

Photo Books. You design it and we’ll bind it!

[Guest guest]

" According to Ehler, owner and manager of Lubbock Aid Ambulance, it is

standard procedure to leave the vehicle running, however, the driver should have

locked the door. "

Do your medics lock the doors now?

Supervisor wrote:

I am, by no means, opposed to locking up trucks when they are not in use. I

just find it somewhat unreasonable in the climate in which I work to expect

this to be done on every call. I am also aware of generators and AC-powered

climate control systems and the expense involved in obtaining them and

maintaining them. These systems are not always feasible for a small private

company. By the way, we have had an ambulance stolen (See Plainview Daily

Herald article 2/11/04,

http://www.myplainview.com/04/02112004_ambulance_chase.htm), and in this

case, as with most I’m sure, it was recovered very quickly.

Heat won't escape that fast, and due to the heat retention will re-heat in a

short time. Also, don't you carry blankets?

- Yes we carry blankets. Have you ever tried to conduct a

head-to-toe exam, start an I.V., initiate cardiac monitoring, and apply

bandaging and splinting materials without removing the blanket?

What about units parked at the station, hospital, or DQ? Why do they need

to be left running?

- I was taught years ago as a new EMT that it takes more fuel to

start a diesel than to leave it idling for 30 minutes. So leaving the truck

running is a simple matter of cost effective fuel use. Of the scenarios you

listed, it is not likely that the engine would need to be left running. Of

course, that would be why I didn’t use these scenarios in my witty, if not

somewhat sarcastic, introduction.

- What does your legal counsel say about the liability of someone

driving off and crashing an ambulance that was left running and unlocked?

If my legal counsel is Wes Ogilvie, he says we should have little, if any,

liability.

Bullard BS, LP

Operations Manager

Lubbock Aid Ambulance

<http://www.lubbockambulance.com/> http://www.lubbockambulance.com

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of E. Tate

Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 1:01 PM

To:

Subject: RE: Teens face charges after stealing ambulance -

Arlington / Grand Prairie

There are ways to secure the unit while still supplying power to heat / AC

and lights. Given that, is there any reason not to secure the unit?

Heat won't escape that fast, and due to the heat retention will re-heat in

a short time. Also, don't you carry blankets?

What about units parked at the station, hospital, or DQ? Why do they need

to be left running?

What does your legal counsel say about the liability of someone driving

off and crashing an ambulance that was left running and unlocked?

Even though we have some lee-way in the law as emergency vehicles, we are

still held to the same standard as everyone else on the road. Civil juries

tend to have no sense of humor as well.

Food for thought,

Tater

Supervisor wrote:

“I’m sorry that the ambulance is cold Mrs. , but the Texas Motor

Vehicle Code requires us to turn the engine off.”

“Vance, you can stop compressions to start the engine.”

“I hope no one runs into our truck while it’s sitting in the middle of the

road with no lights on.”

I’ve got an idea. Leave your lights and your heater on while the engine is

not running. The motor vehicle code does not require you to shut down you

electrical systems. You can keep a pair of jumper cables with you. Then

when you get out to your truck and the battery is dead, you can boost it off

using a neighbor’s car.

Yes , I know it’s the law, but if you follow this line of thinking, you

probably think that the U.S. Government is responsible for 9/11, and not the

terrorists who committed the act. Whatever happened to personal

responsibility? Bad things happen because bad people do bad things, not

because good people give them opportunity.

(BTW, curbing the wheels and setting the brake do little to prevent theft)

Bullard BS, LP

Operations Manager

Lubbock Aid Ambulance

<http://www.lubbockambulance.com/> http://www.lubbockambulance.com

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of E. Tate

Sent: Monday, January 09, 2006 2:03 PM

To:

Subject: Teens face charges after stealing ambulance -

Arlington / Grand Prairie

Teens face charges after stealing ambulance 09:28 AM CST on Monday,

January 9, 2006 WFAA-TV Two teens face charges this morning after

allegedly stealing an ambulance.

An Arlington ambulance crew was transferring a patient in Grand Prairie.

When they came out, their ambulance was gone.

Using GPS, police tracked it to Grapevine.

There were no patients inside the vehicle at the time it was stolen.

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaaa060109_lj

_ambulance.5e23f2a1.html

This happens several times a year. I would just like to remind everyone

of the following from the Texas Transportation Code.

§ 545.404. UNATTENDED MOTOR VEHICLE. An operator may

not leave the vehicle unattended without:

(1) stopping the engine;

(2) locking the ignition;

(3) removing the key from the ignition;

(4) setting the parking brake effectively; and

(5) if standing on a grade, turning the front wheels to

the curb or side of the highway.

E. Tate, LP

Whitehouse, Texas

What’s stopping you from joining EMSAT? http://www.TexasEMSAT.org

---------------------------------

Yahoo! Photos – Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover

Photo Books. You design it and we’ll bind it!