Monday, April 4, 2011

Public Safety: Six Officers Injured in JFK's New Terminal Deadzone

The John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) opened its brand new $743 million JetBlue Terminal in 2008, despite one major design flaw:  the entire terminal is a communications deadzone in which police radios are rendered useless.  This was discovered by Port Authority (PA) officers during a security check six months prior to opening the 26-gate terminal.

So far due to a lack of timely back up response, six police injuries have been reported since the terminal's opening, most from officers subduing drunken or disorderly passengers.  Needless to say, PAPD officials have expressed outrage over the mistake, especially since it alloted $663 of funding to construct the terminal according to code, with JetBlue paying the remainder.

The fix is projected to cost another $3 million and take months to implement. 

Read more in this Police One article.

Agencies can avoid largescale mistakes like this one by taking every precaution possible, and putting communications issues in experienced, capable hands.  Visit EMRConsults.com today to find out how we can improve safety and ensure efficient operations for first responders.

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