UFA Blasts FDNY Plan to Downgrade Response Protocol
The FDNY began on October 4th its 90-day Modified Response pilot program throughout the entire borough of Queens in an attempt to reduce accidents. It decreases the number of fire units that respond to certain types of emergencies with lights and sirens. The Dept says it is testing to see the impact of reducing the use of lights and sirens for the second and third engine companies heading to emergency calls that are not fires, like a gas leak or a stuck elevator. The first responding unit will still respond with lights and sirens, but those that follow will do so at a reduced speed under signal 10-20 response protocol. The UFA met with the Chief of Department earlier this month to voice our safety concerns for the public and Firefighters. The issue was then discussed with all members present at the September Union Meeting. Steve Cassidy appeared on NY 1 on September 30th. See below excerpts:"The history of the department's response with the lights and sirens is that firefighters are responding to a serious emergency," says Uniformed Firefighters Association President Stephen Cassidy. "Until somebody actually gets there, it is difficult to determine the extent of that emergency."
The first responding unit will still respond with lights and sirens, but those that follow will do so at a reduced speed. The FDNY believes the program will lead to fewer accidents and less noise. The firefighters' union, however, says the plan is confusing and could lead to more accidents, not fewer. "Now you have to make a decision, whether or not this is in the category where you, your company, normally would respond lights and sirens, but on this particular occasion, you don't," says Cassidy. "There's confusion, that confusion is going to lead to maybe more accidents on fire apparatus."
John Jay College fire science professor Glenn Corbett says it is a delicate balance when it comes to changing the way fire units respond to emergencies. "Some of these responses could turn out to be real emergencies, and so the city needs to be very careful," says Corbett.
Fraternally,
Stephen J. Cassidy
President
Joseph A. Miccio
Recording Secretary
