FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE , January 26, 1999
PORT AUTHORITY POLICE HONORED FOR LIFESAVING EFFORTS
The Regional Emergency Medical Services Council of New York City Inc. has named the Port Authority Police Department the Emergency Medical Services Agency of the Year for New York City for 1997, Port Authority Executive Director Robert E. Boyle said today.
Mr. Boyle also said the council has named Port Authority Police Lt. Kathy Mazza the Basic Life Support Provider of New York City for 1997. Lt. Mazza, a registered professional nurse, teaches emergency medical care programs at the Port Authority Police Training Academy.
The Port Authority Police Department and Lt. Mazza were cited for maintaining the "highest level" of emergency medical services at Port Authority facilities. The council specifically recognized the department and Lt. Mazza for promoting the use of portable defibrillators by Port Authority Police officers.
The Port Authority Police Department has certified more than 90 officers in the use of defibrillators since the training program began in 1997.
The Police Department reviewed several types of defibrillators with the Port Authority's Office of Medical Services. This month, all 632 Port Authority Police officers certified to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) will begin receiving defibrillator training.
In November, Port Authority Police officers used a defibrillator to revive a passenger who suffered cardiac arrest aboard a Delta Air Lines plane at LaGuardia Airport. Last month, Port Authority Police officers at John F. Kennedy International Airport used a defibrillator to revive an airline passenger who went into cardiac arrest in front of the airport's Terminal 8.
"We're proud of this recognition for Lt. Mazza and her colleagues at the Port Authority Police Department," Mr. Boyle said. "Their efforts are saving lives. Their work demonstrates the commitment of all Port Authority employees to serve the hundreds of millions of customers who rely on us each year."
The Port Authority Police force is the nation's 26th largest law-enforcement agency, with more than 1,200 sworn personnel. They patrol Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark International airports, the agency's four interstate bridges and two tunnels, the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the World Trade Center, marine terminals in both states and the PATH interstate rail transit system.
More than 40 Port Authority Police emergency medical technicians, plus 30 certified first responders, are assigned throughout facilities run by the bistate agency. In addition, the Port Authority has placed three defibrillator units in its medical offices in Jersey City and at the World Trade Center. Highly trained Port Authority Police also are responsible for fire fighting, rescues and crash emergencies at the three major airports.