UPDATE: HVH “emergency” possibly related to nationwide bomb threats

UPDATED: Thursday, Dec. 13, 2:37 p.m., With further details from Hemet PD

UPDATED: Thursday, Dec. 13, 3:13 p.m., With additional information from REMSA

See original and updated stories below.

HEMET — Officials have released further information about this afternoon’s REMSA emergency notification, saying in part, “…officers worked with hospital staff and determined the threat was a hoax.” It is believed this afternoon’s threat and response was part of a series of threats received throughout the nation today.

“Unfortunately Hemet Valley Medical Center received a threat via email today like many other locations across our nation,” Hemet Police Cpt. Glen Brock later explained. “This has been investigated by the Hemet Police Department along with staff from HVMC and the threat is not considered credible.”

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Law enforcement agencies nationwide reported today receiving a wave of bomb and other threats made against businesses, schools, hospitals, and other places across the country, which have reportedly caused panic and evacuations in some parts of the nation. Multiple news agencies across the country have reported that police in cities nationwide reported threats – some emailed, some phoned in – although all appeared to be hoaxes.

In a social media release, Hemet Police Department explained, “Earlier today Hemet Police Officers Responded to Hemet Valley Medical Center to investigate a threat staff received via email. While the threat was extremely generic, officers worked with hospital staff and determined the threat was a hoax.”

“During the time staff was investigating the threat, Hemet Valley Medical Center Administration elected to place the emergency room on diversion status out of an abundance of caution,” HPD explained. “We have learned that HVMC is not alone in receiving an email threat today.”

“According to local and national news sources this threat was transmitted to a number of locations throughout Riverside County and many more across the nation,” HPD continued. “The Hemet Police Department does not believe the threat received at HVMC is credible, however we will continue to monitor situation.”

Hemet Valley Medical Center’s Emergency Room is no longer on diversion status and is operating normally at this time, according to Hemet PD and REMSA officials.

REMSA spokesperson Brooke Federico later explained to RCNS that during the hospital’s redirect, only one, non-critical patient from the San Jacinto area was re-directed for emergency services, and was sent to San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital in Banning.

This is a developing story that will be updated as new information is available.


UPDATED: Thursday, Dec. 13, 2:18 p.m.

See original story below

HEMET — Despite calls to Hemet Police and Fire Departments, Hemet Valley Hospital, and REMSA, no further details or information are being released after REMSA sent out an emergency notification indicating that Hemet Valley Hospital was experiencing some sort of crisis, disaster, or emergency.

Despite the lack of information specific to HVH and their ongoing crisis, law enforcement agencies nationwide have reported today receiving a wave of bomb and other threats made against businesses, schools, hospitals, and other places across the country, which have reportedly caused panic and evacuations in some parts of the country.

Multiple news agencies across the nation have reported that police in cities nationwide reported threats, some emailed, some phoned in, although all appeared to be hoaxes.

The FBI in a statement said they were “aware of the recent bomb threats made in cities around the country, and we remain in touch with our law enforcement partners to provide assistance. As always, we encourage the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities which could represent a threat to public safety.”

This is a developing story that will be updated as new information is available.

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Original Story: BREAKING: HVH experiencing “Internal Disaster” according to REMSA ER redirect

HEMET — Very few details are known, but various official sources indicate no patients are being allowed to enter or leave Hemet Valley Hospital this afternoon after Riverside County Regional Emergency Medical Services Agency (REMSA) officials released an emergency notification that the hospital is currently experiencing some form of crisis, disaster, or emergency.

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In a notification sent out this afternoon, Thursday, Dec. 13, REMSA briefly explained, “REMSA has placed Hemet Valley in (Emergency Department) ED Redirect and Internal Disaster. Absolutely no ambulance transport to or from the facility.”

The message indicated the emergency notification was sent out at 3:30 p.m., however it was received around 12:30 p.m., with no explanation of the time discrepancy.

Moments before the REMSA message was sent out, sources say official radio traffic indicated Hemet Police and Fire Departments were summoned to the hospital, but no further information was released over the radio.

Officials have not specified the nature of the emergency or “internal disaster” referenced in their notification and provided no further details.

Calls to Hemet Police and Fire Departments, Hemet Valley Hospital, and REMSA, for more information have not yet been responded to.

This is a developing story that will be updated as new information is available.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.

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