THE ASSEMBLY

STATE OF NEW YORK COMMITTEES

ALBANY Banks
Cities
Consumer Affairs and Protection
Environmental Conservation
Steering

MICAH Z. KELLNER
th
65 Assembly District

March 25, 2011

Salvatore J. Cassano
Commissioner
Fire Department of New York
9 Metrotech Center, Suite 8W6
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Re: Roosevelt Island EMS Service

Dear Commissioner Cassano,

We are writing to request that the Emergency Medical Service Division of New York
City’s Fire Department establish a joint notification system with Roosevelt Island Operating
Corporation’s Public Safety Department (Public Safety).

Roosevelt Island is a unique community located between Manhattan and Queens. The
Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) was created in 1984 to manage infrastructure,
services and development on the Island. Among its many functions, RIOC provides an on-site,
neighborhood patrol force, known as Public Safety, which is responsible for the safety of Island
residents. Public Safety is comprised of 38 officers, each of whom has been granted New York
State Peace Officer Status, in accordance with Section 2 of New York State’s Criminal
Procedure Law, as well as New York City Special Patrolman Status in accordance with Title 14
Chapter 1 Section 106 of the New York City Administrative Code. Each officer is certified in
CPR, Automated External Deliberator (AED) use, and First Aid with the American Heart
Association. Public Safety also has a single officer who is a certified Emergency Medical
Technician.

Although Roosevelt Island is part of the Borough of Manhattan, its only ground access
point is the Roosevelt Island Bridge that connects the Island with Astoria, Queens. This creates
unique challenges, particularly with respect to Emergency Services. Response times to Roosevelt
Island have been a persistent concern for Island residents.

Since Public Safety is located on the Island and is thoroughly familiar with each building
and location, we believe it would be beneficial for them to be notified when there is a medical
incident on the Island. Currently, when Public Safety is called directly about a medical
emergency on the island they inform 911. However the reverse does not apply; Public Safety is
not informed when there is a call to 911 for medical assistance. Notifying Public Safety would
allow them to quickly respond to the scene, evaluate the situation, and possibly perform life
saving CPR before an ambulance arrives on the scene. To this end, we propose that the FDNY
evaluate the following options:
834 Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248 (518) 455-5 6 7 6, FAX (518) 455-5 2 8 2
315 East 65 Street, New York, NY 10065 (212) 860-4906, FAX (917) 432-2983
E-mail: KellnerM@assembly.state.ny.us
 1. Public Safety could be included in the Mutual Aid Response System (MARS).

2. All addresses on Roosevelt Island could be given Premise History Indicators

that include a note about the availability of Public Safety for assistance

3. The dispatch system could be programmed in order to prompt communication

specialists to notify Public Safety directly.

We believe whatever system the FDNY chooses to implement to notify Public Safety of
emergency medical calls will ultimately better serve the residents of Roosevelt Island. Public
Safety is ready and willing to help, and we hope that the FDNY will take advantage of their
resources and expertise.

Thank you for your attention in this matter. If you have any questions please contact
Assembly Member Kellner at (212) 860-4906.

Very truly yours,

Micah Z. Kellner Carolyn B. Maloney José M. Serrano

Assembly Member Member of Congress State Senator

Jessica Lappin Scott Stringer

Council Member Manhattan Borough President

MZK/ra