EMS Workers To Gain NYPD Radio Access

By ARI PAUL

The Fire Department has authorized a pilot program to give ambulance crews access to local police frequencies.

TOM EPPINGER: Will make a difference.

Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano last week signed off on the program, which will initially be confined to Brooklyn, after Emergency Medical Service unions sought it as a safety measure.

GPS a Key Factor

The FDNY's chief spokesman, Frank Gribbon, noted in an Aug. 3 phone interview that EMS already had access to citywide police frequencies, and said Chief Cassano was willing to add the local ones on a limited basis because of the advent of global positioning systems.

"It's something they've had in the past, and it was problematic," Mr. Gribbon said of the local police frequency access. "But now we can pinpoint ambulance locations."

Thomas Eppinger, president of Uniformed EMS Officers Union Local 3621 of District Council 37, has lobbied for the change since 2004, and especially since two EMS Paramedics confronted a gunman on the job in Brooklyn July 7. EMS lost access to these frequencies after it became part of the FDNY 11 years ago. He considered it a victory for his members that they would regain access.

Restoring Access

He explained that he wrote a letter to Chief Cassano asking for access to the frequencies after the July 7 incident. After that, EMS Chief-in-Charge John Peruggia informed Mr. Eppinger that the department was working on a program to restore the access, he said.

Mr. Eppinger argued that Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics encounter dangerous situations every day and that having the ability to transmit on these frequencies would allow them to get police back-up faster when needed.

"It will take some time to institute," said Patrick Bahnken, president of the Uniformed EMTs and Paramedics Union of DC 37. "So far it appears the Fire Department is certainly working towards getting this done and we commend them for that."

Cops Benefit, Too

Mr. Eppinger emphasized that it wouldn't just be EMS members who benefit from having access to NYPD radio frequencies. Whenever police officers are hurt on the job, they will get medical assistance faster, he asserted.

"We will hear the call for help for somebody that needs it faster, especially another uniformed member," said Mr. Eppinger.

Taking away access to these frequencies in the first place was a mistake, said Joseph Addabbo, Chairman of the City Council Civil Service and Labor Committee and member of the Fire Criminal Justice Services Committee. The access benefits responders and citizens alike, he insisted.

"There's very little or nominal cost to the city," said Council Member Addabbo. "We have an opportunity to go back to where it used to be. This is being worked on. Once it becomes a reality, I'll be much happier."