In response to the murder of Timothy Fjordbak, PsyD, at the El Paso VA Health Care System (VAHCS) earlier this month, the VA insists it will address staffing shortages and security and surveillance systems nationwide, including motion detectors, cameras, and door alarms. Under current federal law, it is unlawful to be in possession of a firearm on federal grounds unless otherwise authorized.
The murder-suicide in El Paso was one among a long line of violent acts committed on federal health facility grounds. Former chief of police at the Cheyenne VAMC in Wyoming John Glidewell told the Washington Post, “These are the same issues we have been screaming (begging) for help with the entire 10.5 years I have been with the VA Police.”
This comes less than a year after a former VA employee shot and wounded an employee at the Dayton VAMC in Ohio. Craig Larson from the VA’s Chicago regional public affairs office noted that the facility, like El Paso, did not have metal detectors, a policy that could have been implemented at the local level. Even the Washington DC VAMC did not announce their installing of metal detectors until 2013.
The area surrounding the El Paso VAHCS and William Beaumont Army Medical Center was on lockdown after the shooting in accordance with VA’s emergency response plan as the Fort Bliss military police and El Paso and federal law enforcement responded to the incident. The City of El Paso Police Department reported no other patients or staff members were physically harmed. The El Paso VAHCS opened for patient appointments Friday at 1:00 PM under increased security measures, including 100% identification check and random checking of bags and parcels. Security has since increased to 100% bags check. The facility was closed Wednesday and Thursday.
As of January 12, 2015, entrance to the El Paso VAHCS will only be possible through the main floor (3rd floor). Enhanced security procedures will be in place until further notice.
During the emergency closing 2 weeks ago, veterans with existing appointments at the El Paso VAHCS were contacted for rescheduling. Community-based outpatient clinics at Eastside El Paso and La Cruces, New Mexico, were on normal operating hours.
A Mobile Vet Center was deployed January 8, 2015, to provide counseling services to veterans, servicemembers, families, and VA staff members. The Mobile Vet Center operated at the El Paso Community College until 4:30 PM local time Thursday and with the exception of Sunday operated 8:00 AM through 4:30 PM daily through Tuesday, January 13, at the El Paso VAHCS main campus.
The El Paso VAHCS provides primary and specialized ambulatory care services at its main campus, with consultants and fee-basis specialists supplementing the medical staff. The facility is co-located with the 148-bed William Beaumont Army Medical Center at 5005 North Piedras Street near Fort Bliss.