Presidential Motorcade/Mobile Life Support Services

[WAS967 97]

So I was watching news 12 just now and either they were using old news footage and making it look like it was live or my eyes doth did just see a MLSS box ambulance in New Rochelle as part of the Presidential motorcade. Yes/No/Maybe/None-of-the-above?

[INIT915 1,119]

So I was watching news 12 just now and either they were using old news footage and making it look like it was live or my eyes doth did just see a MLSS box ambulance in New Rochelle as part of the Presidential motorcade. Yes/No/Maybe/None-of-the-above?

No, that was yesterday's footage. We did have a MLSS unit with us in the motorcade.

[Bnechis 3,961]

No, that was yesterday's footage. We did have a MLSS unit with us in the motorcade.

Does MLSS have a CON to operate in Westchester?

[INIT915 1,119]

Does MLSS have a CON to operate in Westchester?

I have no idea, maybe someone from MLSS could answer that.

[S1720G 62]

Maybe they were hand picked by The President.

[AFS1970 504]

I know that out of area ambulance sometimes get used for motorcades depending on what is available locally. Back during George H.W. Bush's term when he was in the area visiting his daughter there was a Stamford EMS unit assigned to New Canaan because NCVAC did not yet have full time paramedics. Not sure how this works with the various contract services in Westchester but it may have something to do with that.

[sympathomedic 383]

If you recall a few months ago the DCFD ambulance unit assigned to the White House ran out of fuel when it was supposed to join a motorcade taking the Obamas to dinner. Gauge had been broken for months and no one filled the tank or got the gauge fixed. I assume MLSS dis better than that?

http://www.usatoday.com/story/theoval/2013/08/13/obama-white-house-motorcade-ambulance-out-of-gas/2647831/

[Bnechis 3,961]

I know that out of area ambulance sometimes get used for motorcades depending on what is available locally. Back during George H.W. Bush's term when he was in the area visiting his daughter there was a Stamford EMS unit assigned to New Canaan because NCVAC did not yet have full time paramedics. Not sure how this works with the various contract services in Westchester but it may have something to do with that.

I do not know what the rules in CT are. But in NYS it is illegal for a service to operate outside its CON. Unless on mutual aid. We had a case where the US Open was stopped because they had a NYC Based Ambulance covering them, but the DOH said Shut the event down till they could get a service with a CON for Westchester.

[x635 4,066]

Doesn't the president travel with his own armored Type III ambulance painted black like the other Secret Service vehicles?

Can't the Feds supersede local and state jurisdictions? It would probably be logistically impossible to have one ambulance if traveling through multiple jurisdictions.

I'm surprised that it wasn't Empress. The Pope uses Empress when he's in town.

I'm interested to find out the facts, hopefully from someone as MLSS. It is a pretty cool honor to have!

[Bnechis 3,961]

Can't the Feds supersede local and state jurisdictions?

The Feds can do what they want, but the agencies can not violate Article 30 and use the feds as a reason.

[sympathomedic 383]

Well, is still it a violation if they don't transport anyone? Can they get paid to just drive around in an area outside their CON? And if the president just happens to be driving in the same direction, on the same road, at the same time... and then he needs an ambulance and flags you down....? Is THAT OK?

[S1720G 62]

Doesn't the president travel with his own armored Type III ambulance painted black like the other Secret Service vehicles?

Can't the Feds supersede local and state jurisdictions? It would probably be logistically impossible to have one ambulance if traveling through multiple jurisdictions.

I'm surprised that it wasn't Empress. The Pope uses Empress when he's in town.

I'm interested to find out the facts, hopefully from someone as MLSS. It is a pretty cool honor to have!

Yes the Feds can do whatever they want. The paramedics would not be administering any patient care. One would drive with a secret service agent in the front , and the medic in the back would do nothing . His doctors would be treating him, and yes most likely in the president's armored ambulance that's also in the motorcade.

[Medic5274 45]

As a former FDNY EMS paramedic I was assigned to the Dignitary Protection Unit. This was an overtime unit staffed by paramedics who were interviewed by the Secret Service and went through extensive background checks and training. An ambulance rode at the rear of every motorcade.

During motorcade operatations the secret service never rode in the ambulance as many believe. We had Secret Service radios with special code names that changed every assignment. We would sleep in the ambulance while the president was staying in the Waldorf or some other high end hotel. Not very glamorous. There was a lot of hurry up and then wait that dragged on for hours.

During training it was stressed that you would never treat the President and he would never be in your ambulance. We were there to treat the collateral damage as the secret service calls the poor stiff working or riding in the motorcade who might get hurt. I actually did treat a motorcycle cop who dumped his bike escorting the motorcade. Boy did he feel like an idiot. The Secret Service also stated they would not hesitate to shoot us if we were in their way when protecting the President. We actually had to sign documents acknowledging that we were made aware of this.

We routinely rode into Westchester NJ and Connecticut. We were advised that notifications were made to local state DOH and regional EMS council about us operating in their jurisdiction. This was over 15 years ago I cannot say what arrangements are in place today. My guess with Mobile Life operating in Westchester is because they have received Secret Service clearance to operate in a Presidential motorcade.

This was a neat gig and gave me access to a lot of places most people will never go. I have a picture with the vice president on the tarmac at JFK in front of Air Force 1. Never made it into the plane though

[201/65 94]

An article on www.midhudsonnews.com had reports of VP Biden staying at the Emerson Lodge in Ulster County. I know in most EMS cases a pre-arranged transport can be accepted if the patient begins or ends in your CON area.

[STAT213 332]

It is also quite possible that they landed at Stewart and started the motorcade from there. Whole lot easier to lock down a base that already is gated than to land somewhere like HPN. And seeing as Stewart is within the coverage area of MLSS, that would be the point of origin for the call, and well, you can figure the rest out.

I've also worked for agencies that have been part of the presidential motorcade in the past. The members who were part of the motorcade were vetted by secret service well ahead of time, and they were detailed to the motorcade while it zipped ALL over upstate NY on a campaign junket.

And lastly, do you really think that the secret service cares about CON issues? Or that if NYS DOH/EMS showed up in his state issued SUV and told them that they needed to suspend their motorcade because, well, that um ambulance at the back of the, um motorcade isn't licensed for this area that they would?

[Bnechis 3,961]

It is also quite possible that they landed at Stewart and started the motorcade from there. Whole lot easier to lock down a base that already is gated than to land somewhere like HPN. And seeing as Stewart is within the coverage area of MLSS, that would be the point of origin for the call, and well, you can figure the rest out.

And lastly, do you really think that the secret service cares about CON issues? Or that if NYS DOH/EMS showed up in his state issued SUV and told them that they needed to suspend their motorcade because, well, that um ambulance at the back of the, um motorcade isn't licensed for this area that they would?

They landed at Westchester.

Nope, the SS wont care and the DOH, wont interfere (but potentially could fine the agency after the fact)

[Dinosaur 844]

It is also quite possible that they landed at Stewart and started the motorcade from there. Whole lot easier to lock down a base that already is gated than to land somewhere like HPN. And seeing as Stewart is within the coverage area of MLSS, that would be the point of origin for the call, and well, you can figure the rest out.

I've also worked for agencies that have been part of the presidential motorcade in the past. The members who were part of the motorcade were vetted by secret service well ahead of time, and they were detailed to the motorcade while it zipped ALL over upstate NY on a campaign junket.

And lastly, do you really think that the secret service cares about CON issues? Or that if NYS DOH/EMS showed up in his state issued SUV and told them that they needed to suspend their motorcade because, well, that um ambulance at the back of the, um motorcade isn't licensed for this area that they would?

The Secret Service may not care about NYS issues but the agency licensed to operate in the state SHOULD probably be concerned, especially if they would be operating outside of their CON and contrary to state law.

[WAS967 97]

So nobody here knows why MLSS was there.

Got it.

[50-65 205]

and contrary to state law.

From the governor down, the highest (state) goverment officials operate "contrary to state law" , not to mention the state and US constitution. Do you honestly think they care about whether or not a particular ambulance in their prince's parade has the proper piece of paper?

[Dinosaur 844]

From the governor down, the highest (state) goverment officials operate "contrary to state law" , not to mention the state and US constitution. Do you honestly think they care about whether or not a particular ambulance in their prince's parade has the proper piece of paper?

That would really be from the White House down. They don't care about laws either.

[calhobs 110]

So from what I am gathering here is, since MLSS may not have a CON to operate in the area from HPN to Stone Barn, that the motorcade should contact each agency and stop the motarcade at each border and wait for that agency. What if they can't get a crew out. Sorry Mr. President we have to wait for an ambulance that won't even treat you or transport you to come. But on the good side I hear that mutual aid is really good in this county.

[velcroMedic1987 330]

So from what I am gathering here is, since MLSS may not have a CON to operate in the area from HPN to Stone Barn, that the motorcade should contact each agency and stop the motarcade at each border and wait for that agency. What if they can't get a crew out. Sorry Mr. President we have to wait for an ambulance that won't even treat you or transport you to come. But on the good side I hear that mutual aid is really good in this county.

No, MLSS does NOT have a CON to operate in Westchester County.

All they would have to do is contact an agency with a CON for Westchester County and they could use that agency for the entire motorcade route in the County.

I think the point is that MLSS knows where they can and cannot operate but took this gig anyway. Probably for the PR.

[calhobs 110]

In the grand scheme of things in the EMS world is this really that big of a deal. If it is, contact PR for the SS and ask them. This all could be the fact as to this is who we wanted. Did they step on anyomes toes, did your agency feel they were slighted, I don't understand why this is a big deal.

[Bnechis 3,961]

That would really be from the White House down. They don't care about laws either.

The irony is how many of them are LAWYERS

[velcroMedic1987 330]

In the grand scheme of things in the EMS world is this really that big of a deal. If it is, contact PR for the SS and ask them. This all could be the fact as to this is who we wanted. Did they step on anyomes toes, did your agency feel they were slighted, I don't understand why this is a big deal.

The way DOH has made EMS operate makes this is a big deal. Suppose Empress went to a stand-by at a Newburgh HS football game because that's who "Newburgh wanted", would that be OK with MLSS or anyone else with the CON to operate in Orange County?

Suppose Gramma likes TransCare but lives in New Windsor. Can she call them to take her to St. Luke's just because that's who she wants? No, in the eyes of DOH she cannot.

The CON process sucks, it's antiquated and doesn't foster competition but that's the law so we should abide by it. As soon as we start picking and choosing what laws we follow we are no better than Congress or the President.

[Gaelic_Wolf 0]

The way DOH has made EMS operate makes this is a big deal. Suppose Empress went to a stand-by at a Newburgh HS football game because that's who "Newburgh wanted", would that be OK with MLSS or anyone else with the CON to operate in Orange County?

Suppose Gramma likes TransCare but lives in New Windsor. Can she call them to take her to St. Luke's just because that's who she wants? No, in the eyes of DOH she cannot.

The CON process sucks, it's antiquated and doesn't foster competition but that's the law so we should abide by it. As soon as we start picking and choosing what laws we follow we are no better than Congress or the President.

Actually, if someone in New Windsor wants Transcare and calls them direct, they can use them. Transcare has a CON for Orange County and operates as the ALS agency for Cornwall and backs up New Windsor as needed. You are correct that the CON system in NY is outdated and broken, and I agree.

[velcroMedic1987 330]

Actually, if someone in New Windsor wants Transcare and calls them direct, they can use them. Transcare has a CON for Orange County and operates as the ALS agency for Cornwall and backs up New Windsor as needed. You are correct that the CON system in NY is outdated and broken, and I agree.

Point taken. Pick an agency that doesn't have the CON and you see the point.

Thanks for the clarification.