Contact: Colleen Roche/Curt Ritter (212) 788-2958
The Coast Guard vacated the site in May leaving the area between Cape May, New Jersey and Cape Cod, Massachusetts without a Coast Guard Air/Sea Rescue facility. Mayor Giuliani sought Senator D'Amato's assistance in securing this facility for the Police Department's Aviation Unit, which currently responds to offshore emergencies outside the boundaries of the City.
"I want to thank Senator D'Amato for his help in securing this facility for the City's Police Department," said Mayor Giuliani. "After the Coast Guard moved its air-sea rescue operation to Atlantic City in May the area between Cape May, New Jersey and Cape Cod, Massachusetts was left under the jurisdiction of the Police Department. This is a natural fit for the Special Operations Division, which performs over 500 air-sea rescues a year, and ensures that this facility will be put to good use."
Senator D'Amato said, "When the Coast Guard moved out of Floyd Bennett Field, I refused to accept that New Yorkers would have to rely on rescue helicopters from Southern New Jersey in times of crisis. I fought and won the battle to maintain a Coast Guard presence on Long Island during the Summer months and I fought to get this property turned over to New York City. By allowing the City to operate its search and rescue operations out of this modern Coast Guard facility, we're helping to protect the millions of New Yorkers who use our beaches each year. I'm proud of my efforts to fight for people all across New York State and proud that we were able to get this done for the people of Brooklyn and the New York City region."
Police Commissioner Safir said, "As a result of Senator D'Amato's unflagging assistance in helping the City secure this state-of-the-art facility, the New York City Police Department can now provide the highest level of protection for all those who live, work or play in the greater metropolitan area. From Staten Island to the tip of Long Island, New York's Finest will be there ensuring everyone's safety with air-sea rescue operations and enhanced emergency response. The NYPD Special Operations is the best in the world; it is only fitting that they should have this new home for the next millenium."
The Police Department Aviation Unit, currently housed in an adjacent hanger, sought the Coast Guard facility following their move to New Jersey earlier this year. It was estimated that the Police Department would have to spend $5.7 million to rehabilitate their current facility. When the Coast Guard moved it was decided that the funds would be redirected to outfit the Aviation Unit with search and rescue capabilities to perform in poor weather conditions and at greater distances from land, day or night, when all references to the horizon and land are not visible.
The Police Department's Aviation unit performs over 500 air-sea rescues and dozens of med-evacs annually. Its Harbor Unit performs 35 to 40 water rescues and handles over 11,000 scuba assignments each year, including searches for missing persons and assisting Federal and State agencies. Following the closing of the Coast Guard facility and additional water traffic in and around New York City, it is expected that there will be an approximately 35 percent increase in water rescue activity this year. The Police Department's Federal Emergency Management Administration emergency response equipment will also be stored in the facility.