North Castle gets emergency response trailer

[Guest EM2FD]

North Castle gets emergency response trailer

By RICHARD LIEBSON

rliebson@lohud.com

THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: May 18, 2006)

NORTH CASTLE — Police and fire supervisors and other emergency response commanders in town can now work under one mobile roof and easily communicate with other agencies, thanks to the donation of an $8,000 trailer by the Armonk Lions Club.

The trailer, 16 feet long and 8 feet wide, has been outfitted with about $19,000 worth of radios, laptops and other equipment obtained with federal grant money and will serve as a mobile command center at crime scenes and during emergencies, Police Chief Robert D'Angelo said.

"Instead of trying to stay on top of an emergency situation from police headquarters, we can be right at the scene," he said. "This trailer gives us the ability to bring supervisors from multiple agencies together to coordinate response during emergencies. That's a tremendous plus."

The trailer was purchased with funds raised by the Armonk Lions Club's annual Country Fair and Fol-de-Rol, which features arts-and-crafts booths, food stalls, a flea market, games and rides, among other activities, and attracts thousands of visitors each year.

"The community bought it," said Fran French, a past president of the service organization, which supports a number of charities, including Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Vacation Camps for the Blind, camps for children with diabetes and North Castle emergency service agencies.

Police Officer David Lander said it took several months to obtain and install the three radio systems and other equipment in the trailer, but the work was now complete.

"If we needed it today, we could use it right now," he said.

The trailer will be in use and on display at this year's Fol-de-Rol, scheduled for June 9-11.