A battle of the badges between cops and firefighters erupted today over a high-rise scaffold rescue on the Upper East Side.
A 911 call brought police and firefighters to 200 East 66th Street at around 10:20 a.m.
ESU Det. James Coll went to the building’s 20th floor and rappelled down by rope to the scaffold, where three frightened building maintenance workers were hanging on for dear life.
Firefighters had a different idea: They went to the building’s 17th floor and brought the workers in through a window. Then, they brought Coll in as well.
In a rare public display of frustration with his Police Department colleagues, FDNY Battalion Chief Michael Massucci complained that Coll and his ESU co-workers added to the danger of the situation.
“I didn’t see the need for him to put himself in harm’s way,” Massucci said of Coll. “They [the workers] were wearing harnesses. The danger is not as severe. “
Besides, Massucci said, the Fire Department should have been left in charge. “The city protocol is that FDNY has all life, safety and rescue operations,” he said.
“Well, we’re trained to do this,” retorted Coll, a veteran ESU cop. “We have some of the best training and the best equipment to do this.”
The three workers were not seriously hurt. One was taken to Cornell Medical Center with minor injuries.
Buildings Department officials say they are investigating whether one of the two motor on the scaffold malfunctioned.