By John Annese
Staten Island Advance
 
NEW YORK — Funded by Molinaro, it can treat 3 patients on stretchers at once It's called a Major Emergency Response Vehicle, or MERV for short, but essentially, it's an emergency room on wheels.

And in the event of a major catastrophe — a building collapse, for example, or a big fire with several injuries — it can roll up to the scene and treat three patients on stretchers at once.

The FDNY unveiled the new vehicle — which was funded by a $518,000 allocation from Borough President James P. Molinaro's 2006 capital budget — at a press conference in front of Borough Hall yesterday morning.

"This vehicle will have a direct impact on the people it serves," said Molinaro, who was flanked by FDNY brass.

The vehicle, which will be stationed on the grounds of Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center and Home, can also handle 15 walk-up patients, fire officials said.

"It will undoubtedly save lives," Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta said yesterday.

The MERV joins other FDNY special equipment on Staten Island paid for with funds secured by Molinaro's office, including fireboats and all-terrain vehicles to battle brush fires.

This past May, the FDNY unveiled two Marine Auxiliary Rescue Crafts funded by an $80,000 allocation from the borough president's budget.

In addition to responding to Staten Island emergencies, the MERV will be available to respond to major citywide disasters, if needed.

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