Harrison EMS

Each year since 1981, the second week of April is dedicated to the unseen heroes that answer the public’s calls for help and promptly dispatch First Responders ...throughout the nation. This week is known as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and this year it is being celebrated the week of April 11th thru April 17th. The Communications Specialists of the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services, known by most Fire, Police and EMS agencies in our area as 60 Control, operate our Emergency Communications Center (ECC) 24/7/365 with experienced, well-trained, compassionate and dedicated personnel that handle thousands of requests for service each year. Our ECC team provides primary dispatch services for 52 fire and 30 EMS agencies, as well as coordinates dispatch of all Mutual Aid and special resource requests in and out of Westchester. In early March of 2020, life in Westchester County, NY went from normal to anything but. With the first regional case of COVID-19 confirmed in the City of New Rochelle on March 2nd, the dispatch staff at Westchester County Department of Emergency Services (60 Control) knew their jobs were about to change and they were headed on a journey that would undoubtedly test their emotions and capabilities. With the first epicenter of COVID-19 right here in our backyards, our staff of dispatchers, supervisors and support personnel went into overdrive. We spent the next couple of months seemingly handling what felt like nothing but COVID-related emergencies. Each day, especially in late March and early April, our dispatchers were taking calls from folks terrified that they were dying and, in many cases, were giving CPR instructions to family members as they watched their loved ones pass away from this awful virus. Needless to say this was a very taxing time on our ECC team, as it was for everyone answering these calls for help. One of the things that kept our spirits up was the love and support of our Fire and EMS partners whether they provided our crews with appreciation meals or even just their words of encouragement. In recognition of all the efforts of the ECC team, they have been nominated for the APCO International Public Safety Superhero award this year as part of the NPSTW campaign. Please see the write-up submitted for consideration and give it a like, as the recipients of the most likes will win some modest awards for their efforts based on the amount of appreciative nods they get from their fans. Go to this link (https://www.npstw.org/the-60-control-team/) to read more about the ECC team and don’t forget to show them your support with a like! Thank you to all our partners for your never-ending support and camaraderie. We are proud to be a part of the incredible emergency services team that services Westchester and beyond!

Harrison EMS Blood Drive Continues! A year ago, many things in the world paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the need for blood never stopped. Today blood donations are just as essential, and the American Red Cross urges individuals who are healthy to make an appointment to donate blood. For patients in the emergency room, fighting cancer or coping with a life-threatening illness, help can’t wait. Their health is reliant on the selfless generosity of blood donors. Howeve...r, the blood supply continues to face challenges from the ongoing pandemic and extreme winter weather that impacted much of the U.S. last month. More donors, especially those with type O blood, are needed now to ensure that patients have lifesaving blood products available for emergencies and everyday medical treatments. Schedule a blood donation appointment by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Officer of the month for the month of December is Sergeant Robert Carlucci for his incredible work bringing a person in crisis to safety. Patrol officers respo...nded to a barricaded person in crisis. Upon arrival of patrol officers, the person in crisis would not speak to responding officers and requested to speak to Sergeant Robert Carlucci. Sgt. Carlucci was advised of the situation and understanding the severity, made himself available while he was off-duty to assist. Sgt. Carlucci arrived and was able to use his crisis intervention training and personal knowledge of that person to safely get him the help he needed. Congratulations Sarge! #officerofthemonth #harrisonpdny @harrisonnypba #crisisintervention See more

Donors needed! Be our hero and give blood!