BearCat Emergency Rescue Vehicle Survey

From the City of Culver City:

Over the last decade, Culver City (City) has grown in population and density and is now a premier destination on the westside of Los Angeles County. With the City’s growing resident and daytime populations, its numerous high-profile locations, as well as upcoming regional major events (e.g. the Los Angeles 2022 Super Bowl and the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics), it is expected that the number of visitors to Culver City will increase. Therefore, staff is evaluating emergency staffing and equipment that will be required in the event of a large-scale critical incident.
During numerous recent incidents nationwide, law enforcement officers and emergency medical services teams have worked together, often under very dangerous, hostile conditions, to rescue victims of a mass casualty. These specialized teams enter threat areas to perform rescue operations. On occasion, police officers and rescue teams have improvised by using police vehicles and ambulances, instead of the specialized equipment necessary for tactical rescue incidents, and neither vehicle was suitable for the hostile conditions at hand.

About the BearCat Emergency Rescue Vehicle

After analyzing the City’s emergency response capabilities, the City developed and implemented an Emergency Response Team. Additionally, staff determined that purchasing a Lenco BearCat Rescue Vehicle is warranted to provide the Police and Fire departments the capability to greatly improve their mission to save lives and safely respond to active shooter calls, barricaded suspects, and rescue incidents. It is designed specifically for coordinated Police, Emergency Medical Support (EMS) and Fire Response. The Culver City Police Department will solicit input from the community and the City Council to develop a departmental operations policy of the BearCat.

City Council Public Safety Subcommittee to Discuss and View a Proposed Emergency Rescue Vehicle

February 11, 2020 at 7 PM - Culver City Senior Center, 4095 Overland Avenue, Culver City
February 19, 2020 at 7 PM - Mike Balkman Council Chambers, City Hall, 9770 Culver Boulevard, Culver City
Both meetings will include an opportunity to inspect the proposed vehicle and a Q & A with Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells and Vice Mayor Göran Eriksson. Can’t attend? Please join us virtually on the Culver City Police Department's Facebook Live on February 11 or stream online on February 19.

Community Survey

The City Council will consider staff’s recommendation to purchase the BearCat Emergency Rescue Vehicle at a future City Council Meeting. As part of the City’s preparation and research, the City requested the community’s input through a survey. The Survey closed on March 2, 2020 at 5 PM.

This press release was produced by the City of Culver City. The views expressed here are the author’s own.