San Leandro's New BearCat MedEvac Is Here

SAN LEANDRO, CA — The City of San Leandro has received its new armored medical rescue vehicle, a BearCat MedEvac, delivered by its manufacturer - the Lenco Corporation. It was paid for with grant money and other sources - no San Leandro tax dollars went toward its purchase.

The BearCat MedEvac is a Bay Area regional asset and was acquired through collaborative efforts with the City of Fremont and the Alameda County Fire Department.

The vehicle will be useful in the evacuation of victims from mass casualty events, officials say, such as last December's San Bernardino massacre, when victims need to be rescued but first responders are at risk. The extra time gained using the BearCat could save lives.

See: Shooting Spree in San Bernardino Leaves At Least 14 Dead, 17 Injured

"These types of vehicles provide a critical resource for public safety personnel to effectively transport victims and first responders safely away from danger during times of emergency," said San Leandro Police Chief Jeff Tudor.

The acquisition of the vehicle comes at a time when civilian police forces around the country are begin criticized for the purchase of military-style vehicles more commonly seen in war zones than on suburban streets.

Following extensive dialogue with the San Leandro community, in February 2015 the City Council agreed to accept a State grant award for the purchase of the vehicle.

"We recognize that the City's acquisition of the BearCat MedEvac was a matter deserving of extensive dialogue with the public," said Mayor Cutter. "That's why the City hosted a special community meeting in January 2015 that enabled the public to view a display version of the vehicle here in San Leandro and share their feedback with the City Council before we authorized its purchase. In an ideal world this is a tool we'd never have to utilize, but we must recognize its value in keeping our community and our first responders safe."

Prior to accepting the vehicle, a policy was adopted that strictly governs the usage of the vehicle by public safety personnel.

The MedEvac is not a surplus military vehicle. The San Leandro Police Department is one of the few law enforcement agencies in Alameda County that does not presently own an armored vehicle, according to the City.

-Image via Lenco Corporation