Getting to see the Action

By Elizabeth Hashagen

I've done quite a few stories with Nassau County Police...a high angle rope rescue that had me dangling from the East Meadow water tower, an underwater search and rescue where I got to suit up and jump in to see what it's like to search for explosives, and my heart will never let me forget hiding in a small house and seeing just how fast Nassau's K-9 can find me (and just how scary those dogs can be!).

But I have to admit I never knew there was any type of "Tactical AMT's"
I first learned of their existence after covering a bank robbery a few months ago.
We were live on the air with Chopper 12 and reporters on the scene brining you the latest information as East Meadow schools were in lock down and so too was NUMC.
It was a warm day--most kids were out of school but I remember there were 2 regents exams going on, and there was a concern for those students.
But unknown to us at the time was a concern for some members of Nassau's SWAT team.
They were all geared up and searching tunnels for the suspects-
But the heat was factor--and the AMT's needed to begin a rest work cycle so the SWAT team could go the distance in their hunt for the gunman.
And these AMT's weren't  in their ambulance waiting to be called.
They too had put on protective gear and were side by side with the SWAT team.
The only way you would know there's a difference (umm.. OK, besides the gun) is that the AMT's wear green instead of the traditional black.
When I spoke to Chris Pieloch, an ambulance medical technician assigned to the 2nd precinct, he explained that the tactical AMT's
train with the Bureau of Special Operations on all types of situations--including active school shooter scenarios. Here I am in the picture with Chris Pieloch and Michael Mannarino.  Both Ambulance medical Technicians decided to go the extra mile and train to become Tach AMT's.
And the training between SWAT and these tactical AMT's is important.
Pieloch explained: "That way when the real situation happens you have an idea what to do and what to expect. You don't have time to think. That's when your training is going to take over - that you can't take the extra time to think about what you're doing you have to know what your next step is going to be before you have to take it."
This time we got to see that training in action.
The planning...
The timing ...
The execution...
It all comes down to team work and knowing how to handle these serious scenarios.  It could be the difference between life or death.

Comments

[Dawn . E]

CONGRADS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ON YOUR NEW LITTLE BUNDLE OF JOY! BEST OF LUCK TO YOU's all.

[Jodi Rando]

Congradulations on your little girl.. Cant wait to see pictures of her in that cute little pink Yankees outfit. I have been here watching when you got engaged, when you got married and now to start a family. Glad you shared it with me in my living room. CONGRADS!!!

[martin]

hi elizabeth, great blog.so I see you best freind and colleague elisa is doing the anchoring with you in the morning,so I guess she is going to anchor when you go on maternity leave,you got to do me a favor,push for her to take over for you as hard as you can.You and her make a great team in the morning,plus both of you with your smiles make my day.So has it going,I hear that elisa felt the baby kicking the other day,is it true?hope you are feeling okay soon the moment will be here.take care..

[elizabeth]

Thanks! So glad you liked it:)

[Robert S.]

Great story about the Nassau Tactical AMT's. That was very interesting. They must have gone through very tough training.

Of all of the stories that you've done with the Nassau County Police, this one you did was the best one of all. Great job, Elizabeth!