Long Beach Emergency Room Gets Dock Access

A new dock has been installed at the South Nassau Emergency Department in Long Beach, which will allow for quicker response times for water rescues and other aquatic emergencies.

The dock was installed by the Town of Hempstead and replaced a structure of Long Beach Medical Center that was destroyed during Hurricane Sandy. The new dock, mooring piles, pier and railings comprise a system that will allow boating accident victims to be transported directly to the emergency room by water, saving precious time.

“The new floating dock will help reduce response and transport time during marine rescues,” said Town Supervisor Anthony Santino. “Quicker transports to the emergency room could spell the difference between life and death.”

The Town of Hempstead designed, built and installed the emergency access ramp in an effort to keep those on town waters safe and to provide the quickest possible access to emergency medical care to boaters and other people who need assistance on local waterways.

The dock and ramp will be utilized by the Town of Hempstead Bay Constables, Nassau County Police Department’s Marine Bureau, the Long Beach Police Department’s Marine Bureau and local fire departments that have marine rescue units.

“In emergencies, time is critical,” said Richard J. Murphy, South Nassau’s President and CEO. “The new dock will allow us to see patients more quickly and provide an important new point of water access for the Long Beach Emergency Department.”

The new structure features two floating dock sections where emergency rescue boats can tie up. Additionally, the boat rescue access dock includes an aluminum ramp with hand rails, an elevated platform and four pilings. South Nassau also has installed lighting and an intercom system to facilitate communication between Emergency Department staff and first responders. South Nassau staff also is undergoing training on dock transfers of patients to ensure safety of patients and personnel.

Photo: Town of Hempstead.