> Weapons ban in EMS vehicles invalid and not
> being enforced
> *************************************************
>
> For those who have been on this list for a while,
> you might recall
> our efforts to get a repeal on a regulation that
> prohibited EMS
> personnel with CHPs from carrying on ambulances. On
> January 17th,
> 2003 I sent out an update stating that we had won.
>
> We did, but one part of the law was inadvertently
> left on the books.
> A few of our members found this recently and one
> contacted the Office
> of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) about the
> problem.
>
> The member was told that the OEMS was aware of the
> problem and the
> regulation was NOT being enforced.
>
> That's good but they need to get the regulation
> completely off the
> books anyhow!
>
> Here is the email from OEMS to our member:
>
> From: Michael Berg
> Sent: Friday, December 16, 2005 3:59 PM
> To: xxx
> Cc: Gary Brown
> Subject: Weapons and EMS
>
> Dear Mr. xxx,
>
> As the Manager for the Regulation and Compliance
> Division for the
> Office of Emergency Medical Services, Mr. Brown has
> asked that I
> reply to your inquiry. Your question concerns the
> ability for EMS
> providers to be able to carry weapons during the
> course of their
> duties, especially while on an ambulance or
> responding to a request
> for assistance.
>
> When the current version of the EMS Regulations were
> being
> promulgated (January 15, 2003), there was indeed a
> proposed
> regulation disallowing the carrying of weapons by
> EMS personnel on an
> ambulance. There was a mounted campaign against such
> a proposal and
> indeed the proposed regulation was withdrawn.
> Unfortunately, in
> another section of the regulations, specifically, 12
> VAC 5-31- 700
> EMS Safety (6) in part states, "Possession of a
> firearm, weapon, or
> explosive or incendiary device on any EMS vehicle is
> prohibited,
> exceptŠ" This was to have been removed during the
> revision process
> and simply was an oversight. We have
> administratively directed our
> field staff to not enforce this specific provision
> of the regulations.
>
> I hope this answers your questions and addresses
> your concerns.
> Please feel free to call on me should we be of any
> additional
> assistance.
>
> Michael D. Berg
> Manager, Regulation and Compliance
> Virginia Office of EMS
> 109 Governor Street, Suite UB-55
> Richmond, Virginia 23219
> (804)864-7615 (Office)
> (804)864-7580 (Fax)
> (800)523-6019 (Virginia only)
> [email]Michael.Berg@vdh.virginia.gov[/email]
>
