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by DEBORAH S. MORRIS
Fire union officials are outraged that a rental truck is being used to replace an official rescue vehicle that backs up an elite fire unit in Brooklyn and parts of Queens.
Stephen Cassidy, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, said the white Ryder truck is not equipped with flashing lights, sirens or even a two-way radio, and compromises the safety of firefighters and the public.
"How is it possible the city of New York does not have the resources to supply this kind of key equipment?" Cassidy asked.
"This mayor has slashed the budget to a place that we can't do what we need to do, to protect the public. It's a slap in the face and citizens should be outraged," he said.
According to Frank Gribbon, spokesman for the Fire Department, the rental truck will only be in use for about two months, until a new truck on order arrives. He said the truck is used primarily to carry tools and lumber in building-collapse emergencies.
"This is not a response vehicle. It's a support unit. Their role is to come in once an assessment has been made," Gribbon said.
The box truck emblazoned with the word Ryder, with FDNY decals placed above that logo, was being put into service yesterday at Ladder Company No. 132 in Brooklyn where it will be housed. The truck will serve Rescue 2, which responds to high-end emergencies, such as hazmat incidents and building collapses. The official vehicle was loaned to a unit in Manhattan sometime last week, according to Gribbon.
Cassidy said firefighters were disgusted that they have the training but not the right equipment, but that would not stop them from doing their job.
"My firefighters are still going to risk their lives because that is what they do for the city of New York," Cassidy said.
He added he was concerned for police officers as well. "You put two people in firefighter gear in a white box truck, send them driving around New York City, they become a target for police," he said, adding police would only be doing their job in trying to stop the truck, but could unwittingly delay lifesaving help.
But Gribbon said that would not be an issue.
"The vehicle is not just going to be driving around unescorted. It will be two pieces responding together. The Police Department has been provided with information. This is a temporary measure. The fact of the matter is this is increasing our capabilities of responding to a structural collapse."
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