New York Ambulance Companies On Alert

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New York Ambulance Companies On Alert for Suspiciously Interested Strangers

JEFF ROSSEN

Courtesy of WABC - New York

(Bronx-WABC, August 18, 2004) -- New concerns about a possible terrorist threat involving ambulances rushing to help following a terrorist attack. Suspicious activity around area rescue squads suggests those ambulances could be turned into bombs -- dealing a second blow to rescuers. 

Jeff Rossen reports from the South Bronx with the story. 

What is so disturbing, is it seems to be a trend. Over the past several weeks, there have been half dozen incidents of suspicious activity. 

Tuesday night, the latest case happened here at Battalion 26 in the South Bronx. A man walked inside and said to the person in there, "Where do you keep your ambulances? Can I buy one of your ambulances?" And that's just the beginning. 

Fire Department sources tell Eyewitness News that the incident in the Bronx and another over the weekend are eerily similar, and may involve the same man asking suspicious questions about ambulances. The EMTs quickly notified the authorities, and now the FBI is investigating. 

Nicholas Scoppetta, NYC Fire Commissioner: "It doesn't sound like a carefully planned terrorist operation. We'll see when we track him down." 

Even more disturbing, three suspicious cases in New Jersey that lead the state Office of Counter-Terrorism to release an alert to all ambulance companies. 

In the most recent case, a man claiming he was a physician from Pakistan visited an ambulance squad in Middlesex County. According to the state alert, the man appeared very nervous, asked about ambulance speeds, light and sirens. When asked to fill out an application, the man left. 

The second case happened at an unnamed hospital in Essex County. A Middle-Eastern man was standing near an ambulance at the emergency room, taking notes on a small note pad. When confronted by EMTs, the man said he was an ambulance mechanic, and left. 

The third case, perhaps most alarming of all, three Middle-Eastern men tried to join a volunteer ambulance squad, expressing "abnormal interest" in ambulance operation, and even offered money to join the squad quickly. 

Matthew Harrison, Transcare: "We are also, of course, on the lookout for anyone who shows an unusual interest in how to acquire an ambulance, or where to get an ambulance." 

While larger ambulance companies are included, the latest alert seems to focus on the more vulnerable volunteer squads, and private companies. 

Ilene Wells runs an ambulance company in Wayne, New Jersey. 

Ilene Wells, Ambulance Owner: "Your normal, every-day person just doesn't want to go off the street and buy an ambulance cash -- you know? It is just -- something strange right there." 

Wednesday afternoon, we got word of yet another incident in New Jersey that happened last week. A man walked into a city clerk's office in northern New Jersey and said to the clerk, "Where do you keep your ambulances?" 

The clerk said to him, "We keep them in a secure area." 

The man said, "Well, okay. But where's your billing department?" 

The clerk pointed him in one direction, but instead, he walked out the front door. 

While there are no specific threats, police do consider this suspicious activity