Mold suspect as odor invades Colonie EMS unit

October 9, 2008

Loudon Road station remains open but access to some areas is

limited

Albany Times Union - Albany,NY*

By JORDAN CARLEO-EVANGELIST, Staff writer

Thursday, October 9, 2008

storyID=727762 & category=REGION

COLONIE — Access to parts of town EMS Station 4 on Loudon Road has

been limited after a substantial water leak and strong odor were

discovered there earlier this week, officials said.

EMS Chief Jon Politis said the station remains open and that service

to the north side of town will not be interrupted as the town

investigates the source of the odor, which may have contributed to

an illness that sent one worker home sick.

In the interim, emergency medical crews assigned to the station will

report there to pick up vehicles but spend time between calls at the

Boght Fire Department or EMS Station 1, which is attached to public

safety headquarters on Old Wolf Road, said Gannon, the town's

director of operations.

Politis stressed it is too early to speculate whether the source of

the odor may be mold.

Employees have been asked to avoid the living quarters.

" We're taking a precaution to make sure the employees are safe, "

Gannon said.

The leaking water tank was discovered earlier this week near the

station's living quarters and appears to have been leaking for some

time, Politis said.

The extent of the damage is not yet clear.

" They're changing the procedure for the time being, " Gannon

said. " We're going to get an analyst in there to make sure it's O.K.

to breathe. "

Station 4 opened in 1999 at a cost of $700,000 to improve service in

the northern reaches of town and has living quarters for up to 12

EMS staff.

Politis noted that years ago crews worked out of the Boght Fire

Department before the new station was built.

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