BALTIMORE, Md. -- Before President Barack Obama or other dignitaries take the stage, tour a factory or walk through a scorched field, a team led by the Secret Service has a myriad of plans in place.
The success of the team's work -- a safe visit -- isn't possible without the cooperation of local fire, EMS and law enforcement, SS Specialist David Lebowitz said during a session at EMS Today last week.
It's the Secret Service's job to not only protect the presidential administration and their families, but visiting heads of state or other governments as well as provide security details for other special events.
Several days before a scheduled visit, an advance team arrives to begin preparation. Lebowitz joked that they don't come in under the cover of darkness. The sudden appearance of a convoy of black SUVs in small town USA gives them away instantly.
"We bring lots of equipment," he joked, adding that word gets out quickly when they hit town.
Lebowitz said the expertise and knowledge of local personnel is tapped early on. The advance teams depend on cooperation to achieve the mission.
Although there are a number of issues that will be addressed by a number of people over the days before the visit, the person designated as the trip lead will be the point of contact for everything.
"There's a one voice policy," he said, adding that it eliminates the possibility of conflicting messages
The Secret Service works with local police officers to assess possible threats as well as vulnerability issues.
Lebowitz, a member of the technical security division, said the team looks at such things as structural integrity, environmental issues and electronic security.
Steering committees are established as well as sub-committees as authorities plan for the visit.
When EMS personnel and ambulances from outside the jurisdiction are requested, they also bring challenges as well. As in Washington, D.C. during the inauguration and in Philadelphia recently, crews may not be familiar with the area.
That usually involves a local EMS person or firefighter being assigned to each unit.
Lebowitz said the Secret Service appreciates the cooperation. "The interaction has been phenomenal..."
While the government won't be paying for overtime for career personnel, there are other caveats. Being part of the advance team has opened doors for local personnel who may have been unsuccessful in gaining access to a building or complex.
Life safety is paramount for everyone attending the event. "We are not going to turn off the fire alarms," he assured the crowd. However, people will likely be assigned to monitor various parts of the building.
Lebowitz encouraged personnel to take advantage of the opportunity should one present itself.
Susan Nicol | News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.
