[Scan-DC] Blocking EMS scanner traffic hurts the public

[Cathy Drzyzgula]

It appears the government was providing the scanners, or scanner output to
the media, and I suppose that might make the HIPAA issue a real one.  Not
quite the same as the reporters or news groups having their own scanners
censored.

I do find that a lot of details go out in the EMS traffic.  Sometimes I
think the police would not want just any one to hear about the details of
victims conditions and wounds.  Often you can tell more about an incident
from the EMS/hospital transmissions than from the police transmissions.  

Cathy D.

-----Original Message-----
From: scan-dc-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:scan-dc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Alan Henney
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 8:41 PM
To: Scan DC
Subject: [Scan-DC] Blocking EMS scanner traffic hurts the public

Some reporters still believe in heroes and think people on the front lines
are as worthy of recognition as anyone. Some even hope their work might help
solve a crime or protect people from harm.

Bernard agreed to meet with a lawyer for local media outlets next week, but
he didn't stop the reprogramming of the scanners, which takes effect today.
Both he and City Manager Sheryl Sculley vowed to look for ways to make as
much information available as possible, but they held firm on protecting
workers from what they regard as serious legal exposure. Neither, however,
could name another city that has responded to changes in the HIPAA law this
way.