Woodhaven

Our Local FDNY To The Rescue

There was a scary moment on 85th Street this afternoon, when a woman suddenly collapsed and fell to the sidewalk.  The first few seconds and minutes in such an occassion is so crucial to the person's health -- and as bystanders tried to assist, 911 was called. 

My wife was one of the bystanders trying to help -- coincidentally, she had just walked out of a CPR Class, taken at our Woodhaven-Richmond Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corps.  Luckily, in this instance, CPR wasn't needed.  However, whoever called 911 was apparently told it would be a while before an ambulance would reach the scene.  One of the other bystanders called the FDNY -- and within a few minutes Engine 293 was on the scene --

It was amazing how fast they got there -- and they took charge of the situation immediately, moving the fallen person into the shade.  Remember, our FDNY are certified First Responders --  

In this instance, Engine 293 managed to get the woman talking a bit -- they spoke to the relatives and gathered medical information -- in other words, in the absence of an ambulance, they were taking care of her.

An ambulance from Jamaica Hospital arrived a few minutes later and got the woman on a stretcher and inside of the ambulance.  It appears that today's heat was partically responsible for her condition.  

We need to keep instances like this in mind whenever there are talks about closing one of our local firehouses -- such as when they came to close Engine 294 a few months ago.

Our Fire Departments aren't only there for putting out fires -- they are there for us to handle all kinds of emergencies.  Today was a perfect example of how they serve our community on a daily basis -- and keep us safe.  Thank you, FDNY and Engine 293.

 

Save Engine 294 Rally - Sunday June 5th @ 1 PM

 

The communities of Richmond Hill and Woodhaven are pulling together to stage a public rally to save Engine Company 294 at 1 PM on Sunday, June 5th in front of the firehouse at 101st Street and Jamaica Avenue.  Engine 294, which serves both communities, was revealed to be on a list of 20 fire companies that are slated to be closed to balance the city's budget.  

    

The Woodhaven Residents' Block Association (WRBA) and the Richmond Hill Block Association (RHBA) are joining forces, along with other local civic groups, organizations, and elected officials to try and ensure that this doesn't happen. 

    

The National Fire Protection Association says that studies show that once you surpass a 4-minute response to a fire, the risk of civilian death triples.  Public Advocate Bill de Blasio released a report this week showing that the closure to Engine 294 will push our response time over that 4-minute threshold.  This issue impacts each and every family in our community and all residents are encouraged to attend.  

   

Volunteers will be needed in the days leading up to the rally, to hand out flyers and help spread the word.  Contact either the RHBA ([email protected]) or the WRBA ([email protected]) for details.  There is also a "Save Engine 294" Page on Facebook that residents are using as an online petition and a place to share their thoughts and feelings about this possible closure.  This page has attracted nearly 250 fans in its first 24 hours.  

   

# # #

   

Contact:

   

WRBA:

   

[email protected]

WRBA office: (718) 296-3735

www.woodhaven-nyc.org

   

RHBA:

   

[email protected]

RHBA office: (718) 849-3759

www.richmondhillny.com/Orgs/RHBA.html

 

Sign The "Save Engine 294" Online Petition

Engine 294 on 101st Street and Jamaica Avenue serves both Richmond Hill and Woodhaven.  It is also on the list of fire companies to be closed in order to balance the budget.  Mayor Bloomberg hasn't fully though through the ramifications of this decision.  

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — Mayor Michael Bloomberg defended his proposal to close 20 city fire companies as a budget-cutting measure.

On his weekly WOR Radio show on Friday, the mayor said firefighting has changed over the last century. He says most houses today are not made of wood, have sprinklers and “hopefully” smoke detectors.

Most houses today are not made of wood?  Mr. Mayor, most houses in Woodhaven and Richmond Hill were built a hundred years ago.  And sprinklers?  

Sheesh!

The residents of Woodhaven and Richmond Hill are joining together to ensure the Mayor hears why this is a horrendous idea -- and have created an online petition on Facebook where you can tell everyone why Engine 294 needs to be saved -- it will also serve as a communications center for when the upcoming rally will be held.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW / JOIN THE ONLINE PETITION

Stay Tuned!