NEW YORK — Treatment plans will be developed for rescue workers with 9/11-related illnesses over the next two years, according to a new strategic plan released by New York Fire Department.
Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta announced Friday the release of the document, which outlines the top priorities and initiatives for the department.
“The Fire department must strive to improve fire and EMS operations and adapt new procedures to better protect our dedicated members who face different challenges each day,” Commissioner Scoppetta said.
“This plan paves the way to ensure the FDNY is stronger, safer and more capable than it has ever been.”
Part of the two-year plan focuses on enhancing the heath and safety of FDNY members, and includes developing treatment plans for members with 9/11-related conditions and implementing heightened hazard-risk awareness programs.
Specialized services
It pledges to provide World Trade Center health monitoring of active and retired members, such as conducting three medical examinations of each member during a five-year period.
The department has also vowed to ensure members’ access to specialized services, such as new medications, tests and medical procedures, and expand mental health services as they are needed.
To date, the FDNY Bureau of Health Services has screened approximately 13,700 FDNY personnel who participated in the rescue and recovery effort.
In the plan released Friday, emergency response operations will be improved by using advanced technology to enhance communications, expanding training for probationary firefighters, and developing training initiatives to increase the department’s capability to respond to a disaster.
Management and organizational development will be strengthened, and will include increasing senior management training with additional programs for battalion chiefs and deputy chiefs.
The document also pledges to increase the diversity of members, and improve fire prevention and safety education.
FDNY Strategic Plan for 2007-2008
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