(MALVERNE and GLEN HEAD, N.Y.) – Prior to the start of the Monday, April 27 meeting of the full Nassau County Legislature, Alternate Deputy Minority Leader Debra Mulé (D – Freeport) led the Democratic caucus in congratulating Nassau County’s police and fire dispatchers for their outstanding responses to two major recent incidents.
During the fatal March 15 crash at Exit 17S on the Southern State Parkway in Malverne, Police Communications Operators, Jacquelyn Mormino, Andrea Edling, and Stephen Ruettgers-Truono were faced with a chaotic and rapidly evolving scene involving multiple vehicles, multiple jurisdictions, and nine aided victims – two of whom tragically died. They coordinated a large-scale response that included multiple police units, ambulances, and supporting agencies, ensuring that every resource was notified, directed, and updated in real time.
The Legislature also honored Nassau County Fire Communications Division (Fire Communications Technicians I) Dispatchers Michael Gibaldi, Pedro Vera, Perry Naviasky, Joseph Bodnar, James Healey, and Zachary Zeankowski, (Fire Communication Technician II) Supervisors Michael Capoziello and Brian Tomeo and (Fire Communications Technician III) Captain Bryan Vogeley for their swift and coordinated response to a fast-moving April 8 blaze at Big Valley Nursery in Glen Head.
“We know there have been additional stressors with the VSIP (Voluntary Separation Incentive Program) and we stand with all of you to make sure your number are not depleted any further and brought back to the levels they need to be,” Alternate Deputy Minority Leader Mulé said. “These two incidents vividly illustrate the stressful nature of this job, and it does not need to be made any more stressful by the fact that you are not properly staffed. We are incredibly grateful to our police and fire dispatchers for their tireless efforts to serve the public and keep our first responders safe and informed as they respond to treacherous and rapidly evolving emergencies.”
PHOTO CREDITS – Photos by Peter M. Budraitis