JCMC EMS Medical Director among elite group of physicians
Jersey City Medical Center’s (JCMC) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Medical Director since 2005, Dr. Bill Wang, is among the first group of physicians in the United States who obtained the brand new American Board of Emergency Medicine certification in Emergency Medical Services. Emergency Medical Services is care given before a patient arrives at a healthcare facility. Dr. Wang, who was already board certified in Emergency Medicine, began the process to become certified as soon as EMS became an approved subspecialty by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. Along with his work at JCMC, Dr. Wang also serves as the Medical Director for the National Parks Service EMS at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
EMS certification was started to help standardize training and qualifications for EMS practice, to have better patient safety protocols, and make sure that EMS treatment is always top-quality and continues to improve through new medical innovations. The process of obtaining this certification verifies that Dr. Wang is licensed as a physician and board certified in Emergency Medicine, that he committed at least 400 hours per year for the last five years to EMS, and that he passed a board certification exam that has quite a low passing rate.
An EMS physician works on direct patient care in the field with both supervisory and other functions that ensure an effectively functioning response system. Included in this work, EMS physicians are in charge of medical decision-making and the control of the care provided by EMS personnel.
Jersey City trains 40 new police officers
Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced this week that a new, widely diverse class of Jersey City Police Department recruits – the second in six months – will begin Police Academy training this week, increasing the force to 845 members. Among both of the new classes, ten languages are spoken, including English, Spanish, Italian, Greek, Arabic, Urdu, Polish, Swahili, Bengali and Vietnamese.
The 40-member class includes two African American officers, both of whom are female, 19 Hispanic officers and six officers of Middle Eastern or Asian descent, as well as two additional female officers.
“We have made a commitment to adding more police officers and to diversifying the force,” said Fulop. “We want our police to not only protect our communities, but to also reflect them. These new officers will increase police presence and truly represent the communities they serve.”
The class will graduate in June in time for summer, a traditionally busy time for police. The new officers will join another class of new officers who graduated in December. The latest class, along with transfers from other law-enforcement agencies, brings to near 80 the number of new officers recruited since Mayor Fulop took office July 1.
Increasing diversity in the police department is a top priority for Mayor Fulop. The class that graduated Dec. 12 included 21 new Hispanic officers, including three women, along with three African Americans – two men and a women – and three officers of Asian or Middle Eastern heritage.
Fulop has also ordered a series of changes in keeping with the mayor’s commitment to smarter policing and safer streets. Veteran officers have been reassigned as needed throughout the city and programs such as the Neighborhood Walking Patrols and other high-visibility deployments have been redesigned and emphasized.
The mayor’s office and the public safety department are also leveraging the best available technology to deploy police.
“We are committed to putting as many new cops on the street as possible and to deploy them where they are most needed,” said Public Safety Director James Shea. “We are continuing to improve public safety while also targeting quality of life issues every day.”
After graduation, the new recruits will be partnered with experienced officers for on-the-job training. The class that graduated in December was immediately assigned to augment patrols in busy shopping areas over the holidays. Those new officers are also assisting with security for the upcoming Super Bowl before being assigned to one of the city’s four police districts.
Port Authority announces mass transit plans for Super Bowl
The Port Authority says it is ready for Super Bowl XLVIII and will add extra services and personnel to make traveling around the New York-New Jersey region as convenient as possible for regional customers and the more than 400,000 anticipated visitors for game-related activities.
Agency officials have designed a plan that includes a myriad of initiatives throughout the Port Authority’s airports, PATH rail system, George Washington Bridge, tunnels and bus terminals to handle the influx of visitors, while ensuring smooth service for daily commuters and travelers.
Months of coordination have occurred with representatives of other agencies, such as NJ Transit, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, NYPD, New Jersey State Police and New York State Police, to ensure smooth and safe transfers for visitors between the systems.
“Many of our facilities are the prime thoroughfares for New York and New Jersey travelers,” said Port Authority Executive Director Patrick Foye. “Our agency has been working closely with other agencies to provide a seamless experience for our guests and our current customers.”
“From additional train service to personnel, the Port Authority has made painstaking plans to accommodate all of the travelers using our facilities during Super Bowl week,” said Port Authority Deputy Executive Director Deborah Gramiccioni.
“We have a detailed plan in place developed with all of our law enforcement partners to ensure a safe, secure experience for fans attending the game and the festivities leading up to it,” said Port Authority Police Chief Louie Koumoutsos. “Our goal is to make sure those visiting our region have an enjoyable and safe time while they are in town.”
The agency’s airports – in particular Teterboro, Newark Liberty International, John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia – will add customer care representatives and dozens of volunteer staff to welcome and guide visitors to their destinations.
To ensure smooth operations, the Port Authority has implemented a reservation system for private aircraft at Teterboro Airport from 6 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, to 6 a.m. Monday, Feb. 4, to help manage the flow of air traffic.
At Newark Liberty International Airport, visitors can enter “Fan Zones” featuring live entertainment, giveaways, pop-up concession stands and activities in the terminals. The staff at Newark Airport has been working with various companies and government agencies to coordinate plans to make travel more efficient. This includes additional TSA screeners and a partnership with ground transportation operators and rental car companies to minimize traffic congestion.
Additional passenger information agents will be at all PATH stations throughout game week.
Enhanced PATH rail service will be in effect between Monday, Jan. 27, and Monday, Feb. 3, to help football fans get to Super Bowl XLVIII-related events in both New Jersey and New York, while keeping the system running efficiently for commuters. PATH’s 33rd Street Station will bring visitors to the doorstep of Super Bowl Boulevard, which will be held on Broadway between 34th and 47th streets in midtown Manhattan.
PATH service will expand during off-peak hours and all lines will be in operation on Saturday, Feb. 1. For the complete PATH schedule, information and alerts, visit www.panynj.gov/SuperBowlXLVIII or follow@PATHTrain on Twitter.
Limited edition Super Bowl XLVIII-branded Smart Cards – which can be kept as a souvenir or to pay fares – are available for purchase online, from blue SmartLink vending machines in most PATH stations, or at several Hudson News locations.
To help alleviate traffic congestion, the Port Authority will provide four westbound lanes in the Lincoln Tunnel directed to the stadium on game day and four New York-bound lanes after the game. The NFL, in coordination with several public agencies in both New York and New Jersey, has established designated travel routes to and from the stadium for those with priority access NFL placard vehicles on Super Bowl Sunday.
Volunteer customer service representatives and dozens of additional staff will be located throughout the bus terminal. The Port Authority strongly advises passengers to ensure their return trip by buying a return bus ticket either at the ticket counter or at one of the vending machines before leaving for their destination. Since some bus routes will have their Port Authority Bus Terminal departure gates and times changed, it is recommended that riders double-check the gate and time information.
Located in the heart of Times Square, the bus terminal is close to some of New York City’s most-visited attractions. Passengers can dine in one of several eateries, shop, or socialize at the terminal’s bowling alley. During Super Bowl week, several retailers are extending their business hours. The bus terminal is also a short walk from Super Bowl Boulevard.
During game week, NJ TRANSIT will offer expanded midday, afternoon peak and evening service on selected bus routes to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal. On game day, there will not be bus service from the terminal to MetLife Stadium. The NFL is offering ticket holders Fan Express Bus service to and from the stadium at nine convenient pickup locations across New York City and New Jersey. For more information, visit SBFanExpress.com.
Variable message signs at the George Washington Bridge will provide real-time travel information and special traffic advisories.
Additional Office of Emergency Management personnel, operations and maintenance staff, and both uniformed and plain-clothed police officers, will be deployed at Port Authority crossings and major thoroughfares in New Jersey and New York to ensure rapid incident response, active traffic management and readiness in the event of severe weather during Super Bowl week.
Security is a multifaceted effort that includes deployment of Port Authority Police, employee security awareness training, enhanced closed circuit television, K-9 units and other measures. To report suspicious activity, please contact the Port Authority Police Department at 800 828-PAPD (7273).
The New Jersey and New York Emergency Operations Centers will be open on the days leading up to the big game and on game day.
Regular construction activity at PATH and at the Port Authority river crossings that would affect travel to and from MetLife Stadium during the week of the Super Bowl will be suspended.
For information and alerts, visit www.panynj.gov/SuperBowlXLVIII.
Legal rights for the autistic
Hudson County Surrogate Judge Donald W. De Leo is scheduled to address the staff and Parents-Teacher Association meeting at Gerald J. Dynes Regional Day School on Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m. to talk about “Guardianships for Autistic Children.” The school is located at 425 Johnston Avenue in Jersey City.