Street GangsBy Clark Staten, EMT-P
Asst. Chief Paramedic (Retired), Chicago Fire Dept.
Executive Director, Emergency Response & Research Institute
The Oklahoma City bombing has awakened new fears in many people, including emergency responders. Most of the people killed in the Murrah Federal building disaster were civil servants, several belonged to the military or law enforcement agencies. One thing is certain, members of the Fire/Police/EMS/Disaster community are at greater risk than ever before. In the opinion of those that have studied such issues, the current situation "on the street" should warrant a greater understanding of these burgeoning problems. In order to better comprehend these often complex circumstances, let's explore the nature of the threat and some of the things that can be done to better provide for rescuer and patient safety.
Street GangsOne of those hazards that has commonly already been identified is the problem associated with street gangs. In almost any community in the United States, there are groups of people who have banded together for purposes of, fraternization, self protection, in lieu of crumbling family structures, and most frequently in pursuit of criminal enterprises. Street gangs can be found in big cities, suburbia, and lately in rural America.
In fact, a recent trend has found organized gangs purposely branching out into smaller towns, where they are unknown and think they can sell guns and drugs without detection. Emergency responders from suburban or rural areas, who think they are immune from the problems of "big city" gangs, are only kidding themselves. Everyday, reports of gang arrests and violent incidents are being received from parts of the country where they were previously unheard of. To suggest that gang crimes and dangers are limited to urban America is a folly that few emergency responders can afford.
One of the latest and more ominous developments in gang crime is the use of firebombs or "molotov cocktails" in inter-gang disputes. The EmergencyNet NEWS Service (ENN) has documented the use of firebombs in at least ten (10) major U.S, cities during the past year. Molotov Cocktails have been used as both weapons of revenge and intimidation by gang members. A limited use of conventional and military explosives (hand grenades), by gang members, has also been seen in the later part of the 90's. One recent case in Chicago involved the attempted purchase of a LAW rocket, to be used by a streetgang to attack a local police district.
Well documented links have been drawn between street gangs, guns, and drug dealing, with many gang activities being financed by the money derived from the sales of crack, cocaine, and a recent resurgence in heroin sales.
Drug DealsAlthough downplayed by some law enforcement experts, the concept of narco-terrorism is alive and well in Central/South America and may well have been imported to the United States. Some people, in places like Miami, New York City, Los Angeles, and other ports of entry, say that many acts of violence are directly tied to drug sales and purchases. Hundreds of people are killed each year in drug deals gone bad. Fueled by deception, seemingly unlimited funds, automatic weapons, and murderous greed, hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars worth of drugs change hands everyday, within the continental United States.
A recent tactic used by drug dealers involves the "booby-trapping" of drug stashes, "shooting galleries", and drug houses. Rescuers should be aware of several documented cases of hand grenades, chemicals, and hungry/abused dogs being used to guard drug producing and distributing sites.
Often drug transactions are not easily concluded and end in a barrage of gunfire or a bombing. It then becomes the a number of emergency agencies to resolve the conflict and "pick-up the pieces". The dangers involved in the completion of this mission far exceeds any of those of the past. (See Specific Precautions-Drug Laboratories)
Neo-Nazi/White Supremacist GroupsIn recent years, numerous Neo-Nazi/White Supremacist organizations have been identified both in the United States and in Europe. (See illustration/appendix #1). The ideology of these groups is deeply rooted in the teachings of Adolph Hitler and his Third Reich of World War II. Anti-Semitism, hatred of immigrants and people of color, trappings of militarism, and white separatist ideas are all associated with the Neo-Nazi movement. In the United States, the Klan and skinhead groups have often aligned themselves with Neo-Nazis and formed alliances, with skinheads being used as "shock troops" in demonstrations, rallys, and confrontations with police or opposing groups.
As public concerns regarding immigration and other economic issues continue to be debated, Neo-Nazis can be expected to continue to grow in both popularity, numbers, and their visibility. If any lessons can be learned from Neo-Nazi groups in Europe, it is likely that an increasing number of violent demonstrations and acts of sabotage and violence will be committed by Neo-Nazis and their allies, within the United States. Allegations have also recently surfaced in regard to links between various Neo-Nazi groups and Militias in some states.
Militia/Paramilitary GroupsInterest in the "paramilitary right" has grown since allegations have been made that the Oklahoma City bombing involved Timothy McVeigh and his ties to Michigan and/or Arizona "Militia" organizations. Law enforcement intelligence officials say that their general concerns about the militia movement vary from "not at all" in some states, to "fearful" in others. Most police sources admit they that were previously aware of paramilitary groups and exercises in a number of states, but did not foresee the level of violence that was perpetrated in Oklahoma City. Most law enforcement officials say, however, that what they fear most, at the present time, is an over-reaction by militias to investigations being conducted in regard to the Oklahoma City disaster.
In the short term, experts say that the likelihood of another major bombing operation is probably negligible, but that they do fear the future actions of another "small fringe group" who may undertake "guerrilla tactics" to attempt to make a statement or to demonstrate their displeasure with government actions. According to another theory, an armed confrontation and hostage taking could occur, should law enforcement officers unexpectedly attempt to enter or search certain militia compounds or question militia leaders.
Most lawmen agree that large numbers of trained and dedicated people with modern weaponry and tactics could pose a serious risk to society in general, should they decide to confront or attempt to overthrow the current system of government, but, a general consensus is that a major armed attack by any militia group is extremely unlikely in the near future.
The menace of international terrorism directed against the United States hasn't diminished in recent years. The ramifications of the World Trade Center bombing are just being understood, as the trial of Sheik Abdul Rahman and his compatriots proceeds in New York City. The idea that a Moslem Extremist "Campaign of Terror" was allegedly being undertaken on American soil is both frightening and sobering, as the chronicle of potential terrorist tactics is recited daily in open court. Relationships between terror perpetrators from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Somalia and the World Trade Center disaster have been drawn by New York prosecutors. Strangely enough, those same countries are on the U.S. State Department "Watch List" as countries that support and sponsor terrorist acts.
The risk of another terrorist attack from Moslem extremists remains at a high level. Most experts agree that America's support for the PLO/Israeli peace accord, and recent decisions to attempt to prohibit trade with Iran may heighten an already tenuous situation with regard to our relationship with Iran. The rhetoric of "jihad" or "holy war" continues to emulate from Tehran, Damascus, and Beirut. Within the month, major demonstrations have taken place near the American Embassy in Tehran, with large groups of students wearing "funeral garb", said to be in preparation of giving their lives to the cause of the Ayatollah or Allah. One can little doubt their sincerity or their ability to strike almost anywhere, if they are properly motivated and blessed by the Mullahs to carry out a gruesome and devastating task.
Military training for the "holy warriors" reportedly continues in Somalia, the Sudan, in the Bekka Valley of Lebanon, and within the borders of Iran. Millions of dollars worth of arms and explosives have allegedly been purchased by Moslem extremists, on the open markets of the Middle East, within the past year. The stage has been set for another round of terror attacks. Most experts say that it is just a matter of time before the next atrocity occurs.
Chemical/Biological Dangers
Also frightening is a June 17th, 1995 disclosure by Japanese police that the AUM Shinrikyo (Supreme Truth) "Dooms Day" cult was planning to export poison gases to the United States and extend their reign of terror to this country. During questioning, one of the leaders of the groups reportedly admitted that there had been a plan to export Sarin gas to an unidentified U.S. city, but that the plan was not carried out, due to internal conflicts within the cult. The series of incidents in Japan has proven to many counter-terrorist (CT) experts that the prospect of chemical and biological warfare has increased greatly in the past six months. Several say that they fear that the next attack against the United States could involve hazardous materials of an extremely deadly nature.
One thing is certain; the danger of an attack from abroad continues. The world today is not one of Superpower engagements, but rather of "brushfire wars" and attacks by insurgent movements. It is likely that it will be a war waged in the neighborhoods and on the streets, a battle of "hit and run" tactics, with no identifable nation to blame. This will require a new and different warfighting/terrorism philosophy and different kinds of training, intelligence, and preparedness on the part of emergency responders and agencies.
One of the most viable things that police and intelligence agencies can do, to help to prevent unnecissary injuries or deaths, is to gather intelligence about potential perils and develop tactics and strategies to thwart the planned attacks.
This has reportedly been successfully done by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at least twenty times, in the past year. Although often not public knowledge, good intelligence about planned terrorist events has allowed law enforcement agencies to infiltrate radical cells and arrest those responsible, before they have had an opportunity carry out the act. Unfortunately, with a few exceptions, most Fire and EMS agencies do not spend time or energy in gathering or analysing information of this kind.
Most Fire/EMS administrators seem to think that local police agencies will provide them with adequate warning and preparations, should that become necessary. Sadly, this assumption may be badly mistaken. Police administrators may not routinely share information regarding possible dangers, for a number of reasons. Foremost of these, is the instinct that Police Administrators are responsible for police officers, not Firefighters or EMTs. Secondarily, there may be police concerns regarding security of the information, that it may be shared with inappropriate people or released to the media.
Lastly, many police officers may adhere to an ageless military principle that Firefighters and EMTs don't have a "need to know", and if they do, they will be told at the appropriate time and place. It should be pointed out that these omissions are not malicious in intent, nor purposefully negligent in practice; in most jurisdictions there is just no history of sharing of tactical intelligence and information. Many believe that needs to change.
In light of these circumstances and the current tactical situation "on the streets", it may become necessary in many jurisdictions for a formal liaison to be established between Fire, Police, and EMS departments. This relationship must be supported at the highest levels of each department and utilized on a "real-time" basis to share intelligence assessments that may affect all of those responding to emergencies. Short of this formerly acknowledged system, it is highly recommended that firefighters and EMTs invite their local patrol officers and supervisors to lunch or dinner, on an on-going basis, and exchange the kinds of information that could prove beneficial to both groups.
Rescuers must be aware that on at least two, contemporary, well documented, occasions that a secondary explosion has been command or remotely detonated after rescuers have arrived on the scene of a bombing. In one case in Israel, a fanatical "suicide bomber" waited until ambulance and military person were on the scene and then ran into a crowd of them and detonated a bomb attached to his waist. At least seven (7) of them were killed or critically injured. This tactic can be expected to continue and even increase in the future. One would be hard pressed to think of a better way to intimidate the general population, and specifically rescuers, than to have them constantly looking for a second bomb.
Drug LabsDrug raids on drug manufacturing laboratories have a way of turning into Hazardous Material operations. All too frequently, volatile chemicals are present and noxious fumes are being released. Often that is the reason for the discovery of the lab, in the first place. Both law enforcement agents and drug producers have reportedly been overcome by these fumes, as neither routinely have self-contained breathing apparatus.
To complicate matters, the "bad guys" usually aren't very cooperative about surrendering and may shoot at Police, Fire or EMS responders who have come to extricate them from the toxic environment. Scene safety and security are a must at this type of incident and close cooperation may quickly be necessary between those conducting the raid and those coming to perform rescues. It is strongly recommended that effective cross-training be conducted prior to the inception of a planned raid on a drug lab.
Bullet Resistent Garments Yes or No? The issue of providing bullet (proof) resistant garments for Fire/EMS personnel continues to be debated. In light of today's escalating violence, the issuance of these light weight "bullet stoppers" has become a necessity in some rescue environments. For instance, to not issue vests to responding Fire/EMS units during times of riots and civil unrest could border on criminal behavior, or at the very least, be considered unethical and foolhardy. In the case of everyday responses, the same principles could apply if a Fire or EMS unit routinely responds to large numbers of shootings, stabbing, or other calls associated with physical violence.
On the other hand, some administrators will complain that the cost to benefit ratio of bullet-proof vests is unreasonable and that they can better spend their budgets to help citizens and responders in other ways. They point out (and maybe realistically so) that there have not been a high number of EMTs shot or stabbed in recent years, and that it can't happen in their jurisdiction. Or, at least, there are no good published studies to document an increase, if it is occurring. Most with these complaints come from rural or suburban emergency systems, where there is not the marked violence that has engulfed many urban neighborhoods. But, lately, even the most skeptical must admit that random acts of previously unthinkable violence are now occurring, on a more frequent basis, and in places where it never happened before. Just ask the people of Oklahoma City.
Maybe the time has come for Fire/EMS administrators to carefully consider the purchase of bullet-proof vests as being just as essential as any other piece of personnel protective clothing. After all, the equivalent of the hospital and funeral bills for one paramedic or firefighter, shot in the chest, would probably provide enough funding for more than a hundred protective vests. And, the morale and safety of those receiving them is guaranteed to be higher.
Safety Recommendations
Always maintain a 360 degree view of the scene. Don't develop "tunnel vision"
You watch your partner's back and have them watch yours
Never enter into crowds to extricate a victim, unless sufficiant security is available
Never stand in front of doors when knocking on them
Always carry at least two sources of artificial light
If you hear or see imminent danger...RUN AWAY...until the scene is secure!
Communicate and cooperate with the police...you are in this together!
Know and understand your system's policy on restraints...adhere to it.
If you must defend yourself, use the maximum amount of force neccessary
Keep accurate records of incidents involving violence; court will follow.
To the best of your ability, preserve evidence of any crime...tell the police.
Your failure to plan will undoutedly result in an emergency.
Always have a "WAY OUT"....
Electronic publication with written permission of Emergency Medical Services Magazine, Copyright (c) Emergency Response & Research Institute, 1994-95. All other rights reserved.
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