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by CYNTHIA R. FAGEN
A Brooklyn FDNY Emergency Service truck used to carry heavy equipment to building collapses and major disasters has been replaced by a cost-cutting Ryder rental truck, enraging the head of the firefighters union.
In addition, the truck, which is white, now requires a police cruiser to escort it to the scene because the truck has no emergency lights, siren or radio, said Uniformed Firefighters Association president Stephen Cassidy.
He said that adding to the confusion is that the FDNY logo is overshadowed by the Ryder logo.
Cassidy said that because of the double markings, the truck was searched by cops on the Triborough Bridge as it was being driven to its new home at Rescue 2 in Crown Heights Friday evening.
"They didn't believe it was an firetruck," Cassidy said.
"[Homeland Security Secretary] Tom Ridge said terrorists might try to pass themselves off as Emergency Service workers," he said. "They [cops] were right to search the truck.
"It's a joke. It has no flashing lights, no emergency siren and no department radio. If a bomb goes off, they get called in."
The rig, which is a second-responder vehicle, carries lumber for supports, ropes, pulleys and hydraulic equipment, is housed at Ladder 132.
"This mayor has slashed the budget and the public's and firefighters' safety is compromised. Now we have the wrong equipment to protect the city," Cassidy said.
But FDNY spokesman Frank Gribbon said the rental truck is only a temporary measure until the new official trucks on order arrive in a few months.
"It's not a firetruck. It's not intended to be one," he said. "It's carrying lumber and associated tools and equipment for the purpose of shoring up buildings and structures following a collapse."
"With all the terrorism threats, we thought it was a good idea to use these trucks temporarily until the new replacement trucks come in," Gribbon said.
"Look, these trucks are not first responders, they are not going to roll up to an emergency scene.
"It's not like you get there before someone dies," he said. Back To Top
QUEENS GRANDMOM DIES IN CIG BLAZE
By ALISHA BERGER
A Queens grandmother died in a fire yesterday that spread so quickly that her grandson, who was sleeping just steps away, was beaten back by the flames and couldn't help the elderly amputee.
Margret Yearby, 89, was trapped just before 7:30 a.m. after a cigarette she was smoking in bed caused her room to go up in flames.
Yearby, a diabetic who lived in the Ravenswood Houses for more than three decades, was stranded, but her calls for help saved her grandson's life.
"She was calling me," said grief-stricken Michael Warner, 30. "She woke me up. I went to her, but there was fire and thick smoke. I tried to get water to put it out, but I couldn't see her so I went to the hallway to get help."
Neighbors rushed to the scene to help Yearby, but the flames and smoke were too intense for them to get inside.
"What good is it?" asked Warner as he sat outside his building with two garbage bags filled with everything he owns. "I couldn't save her. I tried to, but I couldn't."
Yearby was a retired hospital worker who was known for her "mean okra dishes," her kindness and her ability to sew.
"She was always worried about me," Warner said. "I did everything I could. I'm just numb. I don't know what to think or feel. She was a beautiful person."
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