Ambulance EMT Staffing Condition Is Sick

This summer, try not to have a medical emergency. It may be more serious than you can imagine. That’s because there will be a shortage of Emergency Medical Service Technicians in New York City. Many have left for higher paying jobs with the NYFD as firefighters. That information comes from Nicholas Scoppetta, NYFD Fire Commissioner. He still maintains however that his ambulance corps will be able to cope with the shortfall with overtime. Pat Bahnken, president of Local 2507 which represents 2,700 EMT’s believes otherwise. Let’s hope that patients don’t get caught short in this juggling act.

Firehouse Names Too Hot For FDNY Brass

Poor behavior and recent booze and broad scandals of some New York City firefighters is forcing officials in the Fire Department to try to clean up it’s public image. One way to do this, they believe, is to eliminate politically incorrect nicknames for firehouses. After a three year battle with a firehouse in Red Hook, Brooklyn, the FDNY has prevailed. That means the “Happy Hookers” firehouse in Red Hook is no more. Gone too is the moniker “Southern Comfort” in Staten Island, “Animal House” in the Bronx and “Fosters” in Brooklyn. Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta believes this is the right approach. Perhaps more severe punishment should be meted out to specific individuals who bring shame to the Fire Department rather than cutting out part of the spirit and camaraderie which all fire personnel and many neighborhood residents enjoy.