| Contact: | Sunny Mindel/Curt Ritter |
212-788-2958 |
| Frank Gribbon | 718-999-2056 (Fire Department) |
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani joined Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen and Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Kenneth Holden today to break ground for a new 6,000 square foot, state-of-the-art EMS facility at 172nd Street and Washington Avenue in the Bathgate section of the Bronx. The new station, which is the first of its kind to be opened in the Bronx, will help provide improved emergency medical ambulance service to the communities of Bathgate, Tremont, East Tremont and Mount Hope.
"I am proud to break ground today for this new state-of-the-art EMS facility here in Bathgate," said Mayor Giuliani. "Currently, Fire Department ambulances servicing the communities of Bathgate and Williamsbridge are dispatched from a station at Jacobi Hospital. Recent increases in call volume and the need for additional ambulance coverage in the Bronx over the last few decades have placed considerable strain on this station. Today's groundbreaking for this new facility will help to ensure that New York continues to provide fast and efficient medical treatment to all of its residents."
Fire Commissioner Von Essen said, "Over the last few years the Fire Department has seen a growing need for the re-allocation of emergency medical resources and EMS support within this neighborhood. This new EMS station will help to provide better ambulance service and improved response times in the community. By supporting this project, Mayor Giuliani has once again demonstrated his commitment to the Fire Department, its mission, its future, and the New Yorkers that it serves."
Currently, Fire Department ambulances from stations at Jacobi Hospital and on Boston Road service this area. The new station will provide enhanced ambulance coverage and help to reduce response times in the borough. Construction of the new 3.2 million-dollar facility is expected to be completed by January 2002, and will eventually be home to eight Fire Department EMS units and approximately 90 emergency medical technicians, paramedics and supervisory personnel.
"This is an important project because the work of the professionals who
will use this facility has a direct benefit to the community," said DDC
Commissioner Holden. "DDC is placing this project on a tight construction
schedule so the building can be put in service as soon as possible. We are proud
to continue our work with the Fire Department as they meet their mission of
providing rapid response to people facing health emergencies."