On August 31, 2006, at approximately 6:00 P.M. in the Town of Pomfret, New York – NY State Trooper Joseph Longobardo and Trooper Donald H. Baker, Jr. were shot with a high-powered rifle while conducting surveillance in connection with the investigation of the escape of Ralph “Bucky�? Phillips from the Erie County Jail on April 2, 2006. 

This letter is regarding the Sept. 12 article “Heat problems fell dozens at funeral,” which describes the care of heat exhaustion victims at the funeral of Trooper Joseph Longobardo. Physicians from Albany Medical Center Hospital were at the funeral and witnessed several of the police officers overcome by the heat.
As we initiated care, on-scene emergency medical services personnel were contacted. Given thousands of officers standing at attention in the midday sun, it was apparent that there could be many more victims.

The Saratoga Fire and EMS command adjusted well to the large number of patients and rising potential for more. We integrated ourselves with the EMS teams, called an additional EMS physician to the scene and assisted with preventative care.

Mutual aid systems worked smoothly and additional resources were efficiently deployed to the scene. The providers were all well prepared and professional, providing medical care as needed, striving to prevent additional victims by delivering bottled water and watching for the potentially ill.

This all occurred quietly, and given the difficult emotional impact of the event, was probably unnoticed by many. Fortunately, only one patient required hospital care and no serious emergencies occurred at the church or later at the cemetery.

We would like to thank those participating, including the command agencies Saratoga Fire Department EMS and Saratoga EMS, mutual aid assistance from Wilton EMS and Malta EMS, EMS volunteers from the crowd including those from Community Ambulance in Ballston Spa and Hatzolah ambulance from Rockland County, as well as members of the community who opened their houses to those in need. At the cemetery, these agencies were joined by Stillwater EMS and the General Schuyler Rescue Squad.

The public should feel confident that when they attend a large public gathering, whether it is indoors or outdoors, EMS professionals are present to assist with their medical needs in the same way that the dedicated law enforcement community protects us every day.

HOWARD SNYDER M.D.

Department of Emergency Medicine

Albany Medical Center Hospital

TU