Another Accelerator Got Stuck

Last August we heard the story of Lauri Ulvestad, whose accelerator got stuck in her 2011 Kia Sorrento.  Her car wound up taking her 59 miles in 35 minutes, averaging over 100 MPH.

Now we hear that a similar event occurred in December.  In this case a 16-year old boy - Elez Lushaj - dialed 911 to report the gas pedal being stuck in his 2011 Hyundai Elantra.  Alisha Bumelis was the first dispatcher to handle his call.

His car began speeding to over 120 MPH.  His journey covered more than 90 miles of Texas highway in less than one hour.  The ride finally ended when his car crashed and flipped over multiple times.

Elez will reportedly recover and be ok.  But he did sustain multiple broken bones.

All told, the driver crossed through 4 counties and a dozen law enforcement jurisdictions.  That meant he was repeatedly transferred to different 911 dispatchers.

The case is now in the hands of the family's attorney.

This is the dramatic video capture by the dash cam of a police officer...

Chicago 911 Dispatch Changes

Blog Post by Public Safety Stores
Photo by Ditthavong/AP

The 911 dispatch strategy in the city of Chicago has changed, starting last Sunday (02/03/13).

Some calls, regarding non-criminal complaints and crimes where no one is in immediate danger, may now be routed to desk officers who fill out a police report over the phone.

This change will allow the Chicago Police Department to allocate more of its resources to fight violent crimes.   In the city of Chicago there were 506 murders last year, the highest since 2008.  And January 2013 was the deadliest January since 2002.  The trade-off is that some crimes, like car theft or simple assault, may not receive the in-person response of a Police Officer.

Former Newark, NJ Police Captain John Shane says Chicago is not the first city to adopt this 911 dispatch strategy.  He says a portion of the 911 calls in New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Detroit, Houston and Newark are handled this way.  And Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn says his department also responds to some non-emergency 911 calls by telephone only.

The Chicago PD has made it clear that it will only handle 911 calls by phone when the victim is safe the alleged offender is not on scene and not expected to return.  Nonetheless, some residents are not convinced the strategy is best.

What do you think?  Let us know on the Facebook page of Public Safety Stores.

Public Safety Personnel Among The Most Underpaid

Salary.com posted an article that looks at 8 of the most Overpaid / Underpaid jobs.  Some of the most Underpaid Jobs are in "Public Safety" ... such as:

• Hotel Manager vs Police Officer
• Median Salary...
• for Hotel Manager = $95,698
• for Police Officer = $50,193

• Corporate Finance Associate vs Security Guard
• Median Salary...
• for Finance Associate = $108,732
• for Security Guard = $28,696

• Set Designer vs Army Private
• Median Salary...
• for Set Designer = $45,824
• for Army Private = $17,848

• Pilot vs EMT
• Median Salary...
• for Pilot = $117,407
• for EMT = $30,287

We know Public Safety personnel (Police, Fire, EMTs and Military) have the most stressful jobs.  And yet the most important jobs in America!

These folks protect and secure each community, not to mention our nation.  They make nearly every other job safe to do in this country.

So why aren't Public Safety personnel paid better?

There are many answers to this question.  And multiple reasons for each answer.

But its a worthwhile question to consider.  Especially when Public Safety budgets are under so much pressure.

Most Stressful Jobs of 2013

Last year we looked at the Most Stressful Jobs of 2012.  Those included several jobs in Public Safety -- Enlisted Soldier, Firefighter, Military General, Police Officer.

CareerCast.com just announced the 10 Most Stressful Jobs of 2013.  And the list again includes several jobs in Public Safety:

1. Enlisted Military Personnel
• Stress Score = 84.72
• Median Salary = $41,998
2. Military General
• Stress Score = 65.54
• Median Salary = $196,300
3. Firefighter
• Stress Score = 60.45
• Median Salary = $45,250
4. Commercial Airline Pilot
• Stress Score = 60.28
• Median Salary = $92,060
5. PR Executive
• Stress Score = 48.52
• Median Salary = $57,550
6. Senior Corporate Executive
• Stress Score = 47.46
• Median Salary = $101,250
7. Photojournalist
• Stress Score = 47.12
• Median Salary = $29,130
8. Newspaper Reporter
• Stress Score = 46.75
• Median Salary = $36,000
9. Taxi Driver
• Stress Score = 46.18
• Median Salary = $22,440
10. Police Officer
• Stress Score = 45.60
• Median Salary = $55,010

The most stressful task in any job (according to CareerCast) is being responsible for the life of another person.  Other stressful aspects include travel, working in the public eye, physical demand and danger.

So if you can explain how a Newspaper Reporter or Business Executive has a more stressful job than a Police Officer, jump over to the Public Safety Stores Facebook page and let us know!!

Nonetheless... we greatly appreciate all you Public Safety personnel who faithfully PROTECT AND SERVE your local communities!!

Pot is Legal in Washington state and Colorado

On November 6, 2012, the lively battle of the Presidential election overwhelmed headlines.

Lost in the shuffle were stories such as the "Legalize Pot" vote in Washington state and Colorado.

Both states passed laws which legalize marijuana possession.  In fact, the new laws require each state to license commercial growers, plus make marijuana available for sale in stores next year.

This Fire Chief, Dominick Swinhart in Camas, WA, says he has no plans to do anything.

Former narcotics Police Officer, Neill Franklin, sent a letter to President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder asking the Federal government to respect the two state's new laws.  Here's a link to his letter and a list of the 73 Law Enforcement members who signed it.


The Police Chief, John Jackson, in Greenwood Village, CO has warned of "more impaired drivers."

EMTs are concerned that they will see more patient injuries and illnesses due to marijuana use.

And this week the Indiana State Police Superintendent, Paul Whitesell, said he would like to see pot legalized.

Wow.  So many questions come to mind.  How might this affect society?  How will the Federal government respond?  How will (or would) your Department respond?

If you have answers or thoughts, let us know!

Best place to do so is on our Facebook Post ... www.facebook.com/PublicSafetyStores

A Team of Heroes - Dispatch, Police, Fire, Paramedic, ER

Raoul Meekcom lives in Tualatin, Oregon with his wife Sandra.  But last month Raoul had a heart attack which should have taken his life.

However, thanks to 45 minutes of excellent work from the 911 dispatcher, a police officer, a firefighter, a paramedic and an ER doctor... Raoul is alive today!

Sandra called 911 as soon as she found her husband lying lifelessly on the bathroom floor.  The response started with 30-year dispatcher Rita McQuiston coaching Sandra through CPR techniques and chest compressions.

Then Tualatin police officer, Chet Lemon, arrived to take over the CPR.

Then Tualatin Valley fire chief, Mark Cross, came and contributed to the effort.

Then Tualatin paramedic, Jeff Hunter, showed up to help revive Raoul.

Then an ambulance took Raoul to the Emergency Room.

And finally ER doctor, Jerry Tran, brought the effort to a positive conclusion... after 45 minutes, Raoul's body responded!

Raoul does not remember anything from that day.  But he knows who does remember that day... his wife, 911 dispatcher (Rita McQuiston) and the multiple first responders who saved his life!

Check out this video of Raoul and Sandra meeting their heroes!

Off-Duty Heroes

You know we love American Heroes!!

Some serve in the US Military.  Some are Veterans.  Others are Police, Fire and EMS personnel.  Still others are Off-duty.  Like Michael Wolff, a police officer in Henderson, NV.

Officer Wolff was simply getting a Starbucks coffee when he walked into an active robbery.  A man behind the counter was emptying out the cash register with a gun in hand.

Wolff was Off-duty, but he showed his badge and his own firearm, and he ordered the robber to stop.  The robber dropped his gun and ran out the front door... err, literally through the door!

The glass broke and lacerated the robber.  But Officer Wolff arrested him and no one was injured.

These American Heroes are amazing!  They accept the risks inherent to showing up for work.  And then they keep serving the public in their own spare time!!

Reminds me of a similar story from last year.  Off-duty LAPD Officer Joe Jarrett took his wife to a restaurant in Hollywood.  He quickly realized a dangerous situation was unfolding in the kitchen - a man with a 10-inch knife was threatening a worker and had her cornered.  Officer Jarrett pulled his firearm and identified himself.  He deescalated the situation and took the man into custody.

Officer Jarrett said, "I honestly think I just did what any LAPD officer, or any law enforcement officer from anywhere would do.  I just did my job."

Another American Hero!!

Woman's Accelerator Gets Stuck - Lauri Ulvestad

On Sunday (8/19/12) a woman from Iowa was driving through Missouri when her brakes failed and her accelerator got stuck!

The vehicle then forced her to speeds of nearly 120 MPH!  Shockingly she covered 59 miles in 35 minutes!  That's an average of 101 MPH!!

The driver was Lauri Ulvestad, 47, from Ames, Iowa.  She was driving a 2011 Kia Sorrento on Interstate 35 in Missouri.  She called 911 when she realized what was happening, and the Highway Patrol was dispatched to escort her - one patrol car in front of her and one in back.

Despite a patrol car in front of her with lights and sirens blaring, some drivers on the highway stayed to the left and did not move to the right, so Lauri was forced to weave through traffic.  Three times she had to drive off the left shoulder and then manage her vehicle back on to the highway ... without over-correcting.

Fortunately no one was injured.  Finally her vehicle came to rest when she lifted the accelerator and pressed on the brake.

Amazingly, a dashboard camera in the car of the police officer behind Lauri captured her incredible driving skills...

Southern California Police Officer - Kevin Killian

This is Kevin Killian.  In September 2003 he joined a Southern California Police Department.  After just 5 days on the force he was driving home from a night shift when he fell asleep at the wheel of his car.

He collided with a bridge abutment.  And this is what happened...

He was rushed to the hospital by ambulance, but was unconscious.  His wife spent the next 28 days at his side as he lay in a coma.  She left their two young boys with her mom.  And her only prayers were for Kevin to remember her and remember their boys.  She did not care if he walked or talked again, she just did not want to be forgotten.

Remarkably, Kevin awoke from his coma with no long-term effects.  He immediately remembered his family.  And through extensive therapy he learned how to walk and talk again.

In January 2004 (just 4 months later) Kevin returned to light duty as a Police Officer with his Police Department.  And in mid-2004 he returned to active duty.

Nowadays, Kevin is a strong man with a terrific mind and an entertaining personality.  So much so that Public Safety Stores has chosen Kevin to review products.  He will be given the products at no cost and asked to do two things: (1) test the products (2) film a video review of the products.

Next month we will post product reviews from Kevin where he will talk about:

• Uses for the product
• Advantages of the product
• Concerns with the product
• The product's "KevStar" rating

The first 2 products Kevin will talk about are the Streamlight Stinger DS LED HP Flashlight and the new Streamlight SolarStream.

If you have a request for products to be reviewed, let us know!!  Email us at: customer@publicsafetystores.com

Thanks to Officer Kevin Killian for doing this!!

Army Sergeant Shoots to Olympic Gold - Vincent Hancock

We have mentioned several members from the Public Safety community who are competing in the 2012 London Olympics - an EMT, Firefighter, Police Officer and Army Soldiers.  One has already earned a Gold medal - Kayla Harrison.  Here's another Gold medal winner!!

Vincent Hancock won his first World Championship in Skeet Shooting when he was 16 years old (in 2005)!  Now at 23 years old he has 2 Olympic Gold medals!!  Here's a look at his history of Gold medals, this does not include the long list of additional medals he has earned:

• 2005 Championship of the Americas - Gold (tied World Record)
• 2005 World Cup Changwon - Gold (set World Record)
• 2005 World Championship - Gold
• 2006 Spring Selection - Gold
• 2007 Fall Selection - Gold
• 2007 World Cup Italy - Gold (set World Record)
• 2007 Pan Am Games - Gold
• 2008 World Cup Suhl - Gold
• 2008 BEIJING OLYMPICS - GOLD (set Olympic Record)
• 2009 National Championship - Gold
• 2009 World Championship - Gold
• 2010 National Championship - Gold
• 2010 Fall Selection - Gold
• 2011 Pan Am Games - Gold
• 2012 National Championship - Gold
• 2012 LONDON OLYMPICS - GOLD (set Olympic Record)

Vincent is the first Olympian to win back-to-back Gold medals in the Skeet Shooting event.  He broke his own Olympic Record to win this Gold by hitting 123 of 125 targets in Qualifying, and nearly achieved overall perfection by hitting all 25 targets in the Final for a total score = 148 of 150.

Vincent is stationed in Fort Benning, GA where he is a Sergeant with the US Army Marksmanship Unit.  He is also married with two children.

CONGRATS to Vincent and Go Team USA!!

Celebrate with Vincent and watch this video of him talk about winning Olympic Gold (again!) for Team USA!!

Police Officer Coaching US Badminton - Ben Lee

When he's not patrolling for the Palo Alto Police Department, Ben Lee is coaching the US Badminton Team.  In January he was officially chosen to coach Team USA at the 2012 London Olympics!  In fact, he got the call while on-duty as a Police Officer.

Ben competed as the captain of the US Badminton Team in Barcelona (1992) - when he was hitting the birdie 180 MPH!  He has now gone on to lead a Badminton Academy in Fremont, CA.  And he has big goals for the US program, saying he "would like to see the US become a badminton powerhouse."

Ben says his work as a Police Officer has made him a better Coach.  He was recently asked if his training in law enforcement helps.  He said, "I think it does.  I think the discipline, the mindset of waking up early, training.  When you set your mind to something, just be disciplined and stay with that."

Go Team USA!!

The badminton team plays from July 28 - Aug 5 at Wembley Arena, here's the schedule

And you can see Ben talk about it first-hand, right here...

Most Stressful Jobs are in Public Safety!

CareerCast recently ranked the most stressful jobs of 2012.  The factors were things like Competitiveness, Hazards encountered, Own life at risk and Lives of others at risk.

These are the five most stressful jobs (and average incomes):

• Enlisted Soldier   ($35,580)
• Firefighter   ($45,250)
• Airline Pilot   ($103,210)
• Military General   ($196,300)
• Police Officer   ($53,540)

4 of the 5 most stressful jobs are in Public Safety!!

Firefighters, Police Officers and Military serve the public under extraordinary demands ... and now, with super tight budgets and limited resources.

To all of you Police, Fire, EMS and Military members ... we support you!!  Let us know how we can help!