Watch report...
With millions rushing to tri-state beaches this Memorial Day weekend, a CBS 2 HD exclusive investigation uncovered a safety risk that could be deadly.
The Beach Channel Marching Band played, a man in a killer whale suit danced, and Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe declared Rockaway Beach – and the city's six other waterfront playgrounds – open for the summer.
The problem is CBS 2 HD has learned emergency medical technicians who patrol the beaches say they aren't ready. Budget cuts will mean few, if any, EMTs in their specially-equipped sand-roving vehicles will be available for beach patrols.
"This is just like Jaws coming to our beaches," said Robert Unger, a spokesman for the EMTs union. "They're fabulous, except if you get hurt you might be dead."
The EMT union claims the fire department is cutting beach patrols on the days when calls for help are the highest.
"Unfortunately those are also the days that are the hottest and when beaches are most crowded, when tens of thousands of New Yorkers and visitors are out there with their families on the beaches," Unger said.
The news caught the parks commissioner by surprise.
"This is the first I'm hearing of it," Benepe said. "I can speak to the fire department and find out more about it, but luckily we have very good lifeguards here."
Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer, D-Rockaway, said if there's an accident you need more than lifeguards.
"I'm troubled. I'm furious," Pheffer said. "I mean, you know they're there, something we fought for. We fought to have them there.
"We all lean and depend on the EMS service to the people. They're well trained and it gives a bit of security."
Said parent Jill Arena: "There are so many people. There's going to be a lot of accidents. They really shouldn't do that."
"I'm very concerned," added parent Melisa Parchment. "If that's the case then I wouldn't feel safe bringing my kids to the beach."
Danny Arena said nobody wins in this situation.
"Well, I think the people in Rockaway, the people who visit Rockaway are going to suffer," he said.
A fire department spokesman argued that the call volume doesn't warrant special beach patrols. He insisted the department is better served by eliminating the beach units and using regular ambulances for all calls. But Assemblywoman Pheffer says she intends to lobby the fire department to change its mind.
