Use of EMS Personnel as Intelligence Sensors: Critical Issues and Recommended Practices
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Authors
Petrie, Michael
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
2007-09-00
Date
2007-09
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Language
en_US
Abstract
The use of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel as information collectors to support Terrorism Early Warning Groups (TEWGs) and other intelligence fusion centers is advocated by academic papers, professional journals, and best-practice documents. However, intelligence fusion centers are not integrating EMS personnel into their information collection systems, due to strategic concerns about medical confidentiality, EMS professional issues, and society's expectations of medical personnel. This article analyses these issues, describes the development of an EMS information collection program, and presents a model EMS information collection protocol. EMS participation in information collection programs is not without risk or consequences, and may be contrary to society's expectations of EMS professionals. When considering such a program, sponsoring organizations should secure a legal review and follow a methodical implementation process. For the long term, the EMS, intelligence, homeland security, law enforcement, and medical communities must maintain a dialogue and develop consensus on the strategic consequences of this practice.
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Article
Description
This article appeared in Homeland Security Affairs (September 2007), v.3 no.3
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Citation
Homeland Security Affairs (September 2007), v.3 no.3
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Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
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The copyright of all articles published in Homeland Security Affairs rests with the author[s] of the articles. Any commercial use of Homeland Security Affairs or the articles published herein is expressly prohibited without the written consent of the copyright holder. Anyone can copy, distribute, or reuse these articles as long as the author and original source are properly cited.