New FDNY Firehouse/EMS Station opens

[tbendick 27]

First Shared-use firehouse

BY WILLIAM MURPHY

STAFF WRITER

October 20, 2004

Ambulances and fire engines will work out of the same facility for the first time from a new firehouse that is opening today in the Rockaways.

The joint use of the firehouse on Beach 49th Street near Edgemere is a milestone for the Fire Department's plan to integrate its ambulance and fire services, but has caused dissatisfaction among firefighters and ambulance crews accustomed to working in their own, tight-knit groups.

The fire units will start work today, but the ambulances will be phased in over time, department and union officials said yesterday. About a dozen firefighters and Emergency Medical Service workers would be stationed at the house at any given time.

Frank Gribbon, a Fire Department spokesman, said department officials and unions involved have had several meetings to iron out workplace rules and other issues between firefighters and EMS paramedics.

"These are all reasonable people who have met several times to talk about their concerns," he said. "We believe it will work out. These are good, professional employees who have a shared goal - to work for the people in the community."

Some of the concerns include who would ultimately be in charge of the firehouse dealing with issues of supplies and repairs.

Others look simpler to an outsider, but are complex and emotional for firefighters used to their own way of doing things, several firefighters said. Each firehouse has a commissary fund, for example, and food and other household items are purchased from that. "What about the commissary fund?" said one firefighter who asked not to be identified. "If you don't pay into the fund, you can't even use the salt and pepper off the kitchen table."

Stephen Humenesky, the Queens trustee of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, said he expected to spend the next few days at the firehouse to help solve any problems.

Patrick Bahnken, president of the EMS Local 2507, said there was the possibility of run-ins between the two services, "but I hope mature heads will prevail and a lot of people will be watching this closely. If it doesn't work, it won't be the fault of this union."

The Fire Department said it saved more than $4 million by building a single facility, which cost $9.2 million. The firefighters, assigned to Engine Company 265 and Ladder Company 121, are being moved out of their dilapidated quarters on Beach 72nd Street. The ambulance crews are now working in their own rundown facility nearby.

Copyright © 2004, Newsday, Inc.

[x635 4,066]

Are the ambulances even going to be allowed to post at this station, or is it going to be like all others stations and the bus will have to go to a CSL?

[tbendick 27]

It will be just like all the other FDNY EMS stations..