Wyandanch-Wheatley Heights Ambulance Corp. to build new substation
Wyandanch-Wheatley Heights Ambulance Corp. chief Jordan Thomas flanked by second deputy chief Nakiya Jenkins and first deputy chief Matthew Wheeler. Credit: Howard Simmons
It may only be a few minutes, but time spent waiting at a railroad crossing gate can mean the difference between life and death for someone in need of medical care.
The Wyandanch-Wheatley Heights Ambulance Corp. is hoping to reduce those wait times by building a new substation south of the tracks in Wyandanch, thereby avoiding the Long Island Rail Road gates when responding to calls.
“It’s quite a bit of time in terms of response to a critical situation,” said Charles Goodman, president of the company’s board. “You can imagine what a difference it makes in a life-or-death situation, just two to five minutes . . . I was there one day close to 10 minutes.”
The company’s headquarters is located on Merritt Avenue just north of the LIRR tracks that slice through Wyandanch. Most of the hamlet’s roughly 12,000 residents are in the larger, southern portion. The ambulance company is buying property on Straight Path near Mount Avenue from Babylon Town to build the substation.
The nonprofit company, which was formed in 1979 and is made up of nearly 70 volunteer and paid staff, answers about 2,500 calls a year. Company members have always had to deal with the two LIRR crossing gates on Straight Path and S. 18th Street in Wyandanch, but wait times have increased significantly since 2018 when a second track was put in along the main line between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma, officials said.
“Multiple times in a week, sometimes multiple times in a day, we’re delayed by the trains,” chief Jordan Thomas said. “We literally have to go to Deer Park to get to the other side of the train tracks.”
The Wyandanch-Wheatley Heights Ambulance company's headquarters on Merritt Avenue, just north of the LIRR tracks. Credit: John Roca
The ambulance company had long-searched for a substation spot, but limited availability and astronomical asking prices were an obstacle. In 2019, the ambulance company approached the town about the Straight Path property.
“When we saw the need it was an easy decision.” Babylon Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez said.
The property at 1499 Straight Path had been the home of various stores over the years. The town acquired the half-acre property in 2010 from owner Tony Khoury for $246,892 through eminent domain, said town spokesman Patrick Maslinski. The site had been slated to be part of the town’s Wyandanch Rising redevelopment, he said.
The ambulance company is paying $225,000, which is what Martinez said was the value of the property given by a real estate appraiser. Goodman said the company will bond for the building, which is not expected to be completed until at least 2025.
The company’s “overall service to the community and response times are exceptional,” he said, except when impacted by the crossing gates.
Thomas said there have been no deaths due to the delays, but it has caused angst for both responders and awaiting patients. Since he lives south of the tracks, he sometimes is first on the scene.
“I’ve actually apologized to families,” Thomas said. “I remember a father one time saying ‘I appreciate your help but when’s the ambulance coming?’ His daughter was being treated, she was OK, but I understand the anxiety.”
Denise Bonilla has worked at Newsday since 2003 and covers the Town of Babylon, including the villages of Lindenhurst and Amityville.
