(This letter was sent to Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi and Anton Community Newspapers for publication.)

The officers and members of the Association of Fire Districts, request your immediate attention to a problem that not only affects the fire service, but the constituents we are elected to serve as well. As you have been made aware, the inadequate number of police ambulances are not only taxing fire districts, but it is also placing a great strain on our volunteers. In addition, the residents of this county are not receiving the timely level of care they deserve, and pay county taxes for.

In 2005 you formed a committee to investigate the county's Emergency Medical Service system. In 2006 the committee submitted their findings to you, which clearly defined the need for additional county ambulances, among other recommendations, ideas and concerns. It was also brought to your attention that each Nassau County ambulance on the road, serves as a means of additional revenue for the county. Unlike fire district ambulances which operate solely from tax dollars collected, the County of Nassau taxes its constituents for a service being supplemented by the Volunteer Fire Service, and then bills the sick and injured patients in need of care and transport.

On April 1, 2008 I had the pleasure of listening to your press conference, regarding your proposed plan of charging the State of New York for services rendered when the Nassau County Police are utilized on state roads. I look forward to learn of your success, as the fire districts in Nassau County are interested in entering into the same agreement, when EMS calls that originate in the 911 system are handled by the various fire agencies, that protect your county.

County Executive Suozzi, I ask you on behalf of the officers and members of the Association of Fire Districts, our dedicated volunteers, and the many constituents, who are deserving of the highest level of care, in a timely fashion, to make public safety your priority, and place this topic on the top of your agenda. You were made aware of a potentially life threatening situation nearly two years ago by a county appointed committee, the Fire Commission, the Association of Fire Districts, and more recently by the Village Mayors Association of Nassau County, and still our residents are not being provided with a level of service they deserve, and pay greatly for. I sincerely hope that the situation is rectified, as all of our families, friends, and neighbors lives depend on your immediate action.

I thank you in advance for your time and consideration, with regard to the aforementioned. Should you need to contact me, please do not hesitate to do so. I can be reached at (516) 315-4034. I have taken the liberty to forward copies of this letter to the Nassau County Legislature, Nassau County Fire Commission, Fire Chiefs Council of Nassau County, and have reserved a copy for each of the local town newspapers.

Craig Craft

President

Association of Fire Districts of Nassau County