Additionally, now that ambulances must travel from Long Beach to either SNCH or Nassau University Medical Center, turnaround time for an ambulance can reach 90 minutes, a major complaint among emergency responders.

“It’s not just a Long Beach issue,” said Hayes. “This is an issue that’s affected all of the surrounding communities. I’ve been in touch with all of the local EMS providers. It’s caused a crisis on the South Shore.”

Long Beach Fire Commissioner Scott Kemins has said that the longer trips put a strain on the Long Beach EMS system and increase costs for the city.

Organizers of the petition drive have contacted local elected officials, hoping their influence can further the cause. Hayes said they have presented the petition to Cuomo, Sen. Dean Skelos, Legislator Denise Ford and Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg.

“We’re making progress, but this is not a political issue,” said Weisenberg. “I don’t have a direct vote on this issue; it can’t be done legislatively. The only way we’re going to solve this problem is if the Department of Health and the hospital can negotiate. They have to think about what the people need and not what they want.”

Prior to the storm, Weisenberg said, Long Beach had an ambulance response time of three minutes, one of the fastest in the state. Now that time has increased to 35, and even 45 minutes.

He also said that the island’s population is around 48,000, but can grow to 100,000 during the summer. Between April 1 and June 30, Weisenberg said, the Long Beach Fire Department received 1,084 calls, and 814 of them required an ambulance.

“Health and safety, that’s the emphasis,” he said. “Nobody’s going to settle for a part-time hospital.”

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