May 21, 2003
Suozzi Announces Joint Operations Procedures For Nassau Coastline
Jones Beach, NY - Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi, joined by Comptroller Howard Weitzman, North Hempstead Supervisor May Newburger, Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, and Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, announced today new interagency procedures for joint search and rescue efforts, law enforcement, and Homeland Security, with the United States Coast Guard, State Park Police, and local marine bureaus and bay constables for the County's coastline.
 "Today Nassau County and the US Coast Guard are announcing new safety and security measures to protect boaters and people enjoying Nassau County's beautiful beaches," said County Executive Suozzi. "Thanks to the efforts of a joint task force, we have established new procedures for search and rescue, Homeland Security, and law enforcement operations to make our waterways safer."
For the past several months the Nassau County Police Department and United States Coast Guard have been meeting monthly. As a result, the following initiatives have been implemented:
| 911 Procedures |
Nassau Police Department 911 operators are receiving additional training to properly handle distress calls and a uniform procedure for distress calls has been developed to include: incident location, number of people on board, phone number of caller, accessibility of life jackets, and nature of distress. |
| Emergency Hotlines |
Two Emergency Hotlines have been established in the Coast Guard Stations at Jones Beach and Eatons Neck to create a direct line of communication between Nassau Police and the Coast Guard for each and every search and rescue call, ensuring dual notification. |
| Asset Board |
An asset board has been created provide the Nassau Police Department and Coast Guard with a daily accounting of all available resources and staff in the water. This includes Nassau County Police Department Aviation Bureau. |
| Joint Training |
Plans are currently being formulated for Joint Operations training between all of the different jurisdictions throughout the County. |
Efforts are also underway to coordinate daily law enforcement activities and to crack down on the number of BWI's (Boating While Intoxicated). In addition, there will be increased patrols relating to Homeland Security.
Last year there were nine fatalities and numerous injuries to boaters on Nassau County's south shore. Already this year there has been one fatality.
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