Date: Fri 02-Jul-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

police-ambulance

Full Text:

Police Turn Ambulance Into Mobile Command Post

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

Police have put into service an "operations support vehicle" intended to serve

as a mobile office and command post at crime scenes and major motor vehicle

accidents.

The truck formerly was used by the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps as an

ambulance. It has been refitted and repainted by the police department for

police utility service.

"We're using the team approach -- detectives and officers," said Police Chief

James E. Lysaght, Jr, noting the vehicle will be used by both by detectives

and patrol officers.

"The vehicle was donated by the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps and it was

really welcomed," Chief Lysaght said.

The corps also has donated a used ambulance to Newtown Underwater Search and

Rescue (NUSAR) which uses that vehicle on its diving calls.

Police put their diesel-powered truck to good use at an April 16 fatal motor

vehicle accident at the intersection of South Main Street and Orchard Hill

Road, Chief Lysaght said, noting the vehicle provided shelter to police during

an extended investigation in difficult weather conditions.

The truck can carry five people comfortably, Chief Lysaght said.

Equipped with a variety of storage compartments, the truck carries equipment

such as fingerprinting gear, lighting devices and photography items, as well

as accident investigation and traffic control paraphernalia.

Chief Lysaght described the truck as "an office at the scene of various types

of calls."

Sergeant James Mooney, who supervises the police fleet, is in charge of

keeping the police truck road worthy, Chief Lysaght said. The truck brings to

17 the number of vehicles in the police fleet. The truck is garaged at the

Fairfield Hills Firehouse on Trades Lane.

"This is a work in progress. It has already started to show its potential and

value," Chief Lysaght said. Police plan to outfit the truck with radio

equipment, he said.

Having the truck allows police to consolidate various investigatory and

traffic-related equipment in one vehicle which can be driven to the scene of

an incident to provide shelter and serve as a command post, according to Chief

Lysaght.