NYC Detectives Union Launches Mobile Health Clinic for Officers
A new 38-foot RV will travel to precincts across the city offering free health screenings, inspired by the death of a detective.
The Detectives Endowment Association (DEA) in New York City has introduced a mobile health screening unit aimed at proactively addressing the health concerns of its members. The 38-foot RV will visit police precincts throughout the five boroughs, providing comprehensive physicals and health checks to officers.
This initiative was partly inspired by the recent death of Bronx Detective Juan Rodriguez, who passed away from a heart attack just before his planned retirement. "We're out here doing what we have to do to make sure the city's safe," said Carlos Losada, a trustee with the DEA. "But we tend to forget ourselves in that whole process."
Union President Scott Munro also highlighted the impact of 9/11-related illnesses, noting that 200 union members have died from such cancers. "I think getting these checkups for our detectives in every borough in the next couple months is important and we will continue to do it," Munro stated. He added that the service might eventually be extended to retirees.
The mobile clinic offers these screenings at no cost to the officers, with the program's expenses covered by the detectives' healthcare plan. Scott Siciliano, an owner of Baseline Health Inc., which operates the service, emphasized the focus on high-risk professions. "We try to focus on professions like fire and police that normally have a higher risk of heart disease," Siciliano explained.
Baseline Health Inc. also provides similar services to police and fire departments in Suffolk and Nassau counties, the New York State Police, and various correctional facilities.
On Friday, the mobile unit was stationed outside One Police Plaza, where 21 officers had already scheduled appointments. Detective Lydell Harrigan, a 20-year veteran of the force, was among those who utilized the service, undergoing a blood pressure check and blood draw. "I think it's great," Harrigan commented. "Hopefully everything is good. It's definitely important to have a physical every year."