New Pics Sheriff's Dept 2010 Tahoes Canyon Patrol

[surf_kat]

This where is should paste my "do one thing and do it really well" pitch. I want medics who are great at medic stuff, and cops who are great at cop stuff. It isn't like there is much skill overlap in both professions.

I understand that resources are spread thin in remote areas, but those two hats don't fit all that well together.


But even after saying that, i think the Border Patrol's BORSTaR program is really cool, from a public service standpoint. But that's still a limited fraction of their manpower.

I'll take that as a compliment since I'm a paramedic in the Border Patrol's EMS program. We have close to 1000 agents who are trained EMT-B or higher, but less than 100 of us are paramedics. The cost/return dividend isn't there for the time and expense of training medics (especially with an expanded scope of practice for the basics). A lot of the calls are environmental related, remote area trauma and an increasing number of ballistic and blast trauma (GSW, IED). To keep the other ALS skills up, most of the paramedics will do hospital clinicals and ride alongs with EMS agencies.


A couple of the paramedic programs the BP uses are also used by Air Force Pararescue (PJs). We've done some joint p-school classes with them (our agents in with their PJ candidates). Since some of our operations are OCONUS (we've had a CBP joint mobile training team in Iraq as well as special operations units with medics attached), most of the medics get 'extra' training in skills like minor surgery, suturing, public health, etc.

 

[surf_kat]

Good thing they have a winch, definitely seems like the new Tahoes aren't really meant to be taken off-road. But besides that, they look good.

I have a mechanically stock Tahoe (the front lower bumper/grille has been removed and a skid plate put in it's place). I have been pleasantly surprised at how well the Tahoe does off road. The traction control does work well. My previous vehicle was a Ford Excursion with a 6" lift. The Tahoe is a much easier vehicle to drive both on and off road. I had considered requesting a policy variance to get a Fabtech lift on the Tahoe but have found it isn't necessary. I also recently did our High Center of Gravity Vehicle (HCGV) emergency driving course. On the emergency response we were running 1:43 laps (80-85% capability) right lane only compared to 1:37 with Crown Vics using the full road.

 

[surf_kat]

They're actually white 700 series that VLS pawned off as auxillary reverse lights. I would've done some M6 scene lights or new 12 led Par 36's or the best wouldv'e been the new pioneer pluses.

I've been looking into Rigid Industries LED lighting products for auxiliary lighting. I'm using a 4 LED Larson Electronics/Magnalight magnet light as a combination work light/sign cut light and been happy with the amount of light output. Nothing against Whelen (all the emergency lighting on my Tahoe is Whelen), but I'm finding sometimes other industries have some good solutions to our issues.


Hopefully you guys can get some cabinetry for the back of your trucks. I have Tuffy Tactical Security box coming in so my 12 lead cardiac monitor and drug box have a secure home (along with other medical and law enforcement gear). We've been so tight on money this year that I've had to wait for the end of fiscal year funding to get that.

 

[Stendec]

I'll take that as a compliment since I'm a paramedic in the Border Patrol's EMS program.

You should take that as a compliment, I've heard nothing but great things about you guys. I know the "demand' is along the SW border, but is their any inclination in the BP to do a similar SAR type mission along the northwestern border? You may not have the same environmental issues, but given the drug traffic out out British Columbia it would be great to have some high-level tac medics who could get dropped into some of the more remote places where things can break bad.


I don't know which heaven you'll eventually go to, but you'll definitely earn a spot in the double-dessert line at the cafeteria.

 

[TJW]

They're actually white 700 series that VLS pawned off as auxillary reverse lights. I would've done some M6 scene lights or new 12 led Par 36's or the best wouldv'e been the new pioneer pluses. The LIN3's on the push bumper shouldv'e been LINZ6's mounted horizontally. I definitely would've done a Dominator plus on the front of the push instead of the single level 400's. I'm trying to talk them into adding some Sound Off 9 diode mirror lights, a Dual Avenger for the lower windshield, and some more Dual Avengers for the rear side windows. And to top it off, I think some LINZ6's on a license plate bracket would be a great addition.


http://www.whelen.com/pb/Automotive/Pro ... Series.pdf


http://www.whelen.com/pb/Automotive/Pro ... Series.pdf


http://www.whelen.com/_AUTOMOTIVE/detai ... rod_id=425

Unless you can provide me with close-up mashed 700 series photos, there is no way those lightheads mounted on the rear hatch are 700 Series heads. Those are Lin6's ? What's there purpose ?

 

[surf_kat]

You should take that as a compliment, I've heard nothing but great things about you guys. I know the "demand' is along the SW border, but is their any inclination in the BP to do a similar SAR type mission along the northwestern border? You may not have the same environmental issues, but given the drug traffic out out British Columbia it would be great to have some high-level tac medics who could get dropped into some of the more remote places where things can break bad.


I don't know which heaven you'll eventually go to, but you'll definitely earn a spot in the double-dessert line at the cafeteria.

There is an increase of BORTAC/BORSTAR qualified personnel on the northern border. I'm sure that we'll continue to see an increase in the amount of high risk operations up there, but 99% of what is done stays out of the media and general circulation. Additionally, there has been an increase in air assets with Office of Air and Marine (OAM), so doing more remote operations will also be possible.


The national strategic importance of the internal power struggle in Mexico between the Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations (MDTOs) and the government will keep the focus south. My opinion, if the MDTOs united in the fight against the government, the Mexican government would fail. The ensuing power struggle with the DTOs would be incredibly bloody and I'm not sure there would be a 'winner'. It also creates a vacuum for 'others' to infiltrate and garner the support of the population. Those 'others' may not be friends or allies of the United States....


That being said here is a pic of my old EMS response vehicle.

 

[philyumpshus]

That Excursion is bad-ass; I wish they still made them.

 

[surf_kat]

That Excursion is bad-ass; I wish they still made them.

I started a new thread with pics of them.

 

[doctorkjt]

somebody help me! must have that 1/2 cage. who makes it? reward for info. well a great appreciation anyway lol

 

[Scoops]

somebody help me! must have that 1/2 cage. who makes it? reward for info. well a great appreciation anyway lol

http://www.setina.com/part_SPT.php

 

[Code3EMT]

Surf_kat,


What sector / office are you out of? (If you don't mind me asking... no worries if you'd rather not say) My buddy works down there and he's applying for BORSTAR soon. He's out of Tuscon sector...

 

[Rofocowboy84]

More pics of the girl please....

 

[AZEMT]

Love that clipboard storage bracket. Looks just like a shotgun! :lol:

 

[AZEMT]

[/quote:1htc3p5n]


Ditto...I am not LEO, but I think the idea of BORSTAR is really cool, and I am impressed with the agents who take the time and extra training to pursue it. I have heard that BORSTAR is not an easy program, and that would be confirmed if they are training with PJs, because I KNOW that "the pipeline" is no cakewalk. I know this is a thread about vehicles, but I would love to hear more about the CBP ops teams in Iraq did you say? Understood if OpSec prohibits you from saying, but reading that piqued my curiosity.

 

[surf_kat]

Ditto...I am not LEO, but I think the idea of BORSTAR is really cool, and I am impressed with the agents who take the time and extra training to pursue it. I have heard that BORSTAR is not an easy program, and that would be confirmed if they are training with PJs, because I KNOW that "the pipeline" is no cakewalk. I know this is a thread about vehicles, but I would love to hear more about the CBP ops teams in Iraq did you say? Understood if OpSec prohibits you from saying, but reading that piqued my curiosity.[/quote:1t1a97ty]


The majority of our overseas operations are joint training programs with host nations in 'border security'. Realize that our issue isn't lack of skills or technology, but more along the lines of policy restrictions in operations and lack of interior enforcement. Both BORSTAR and BORTAC play key roles in those training teams (along with the other CBP components). In many cases, BORSTAR is now providing the tactical medicine component to BORTAC operations.


The old Operation Snowcap in central america had BORTAC playing a big role (although it was a DEA operation). There are few civilian special operations groups that have extensive language experience (all Border Patrol agents have to know English and Spanish) and operational tactics for 'out of doors' ops. Consider FBI SRT/HRT, USMS SOG and others as being warrant service and hostage rescue whereas BORTAC does that but also does small unit patrol and interdiction tactics. Offensive operations against drug trafficking organization and border bandits (some very sophisticated and well armed) is really their CONUS bread and butter.