Civil Service Success

Sanitation workers are part of the “essential workers” who are currently risking their health every day to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the society. How has the daily routine  changed for them amid the pandemic? Let’s take a look. Shift Hours The shift begins super early for the DSNY  staff, at 6:30 a.m. The workers gather at their designated garage each morning, where they have a roll call and are assigned the routes they’ll be covering that day. Any important announcements that need to be made are also acknowledged at this time. The DSNY supervisors may also give special instructions or pointers related to the work for the day. The team of sanitation workers working in the DSNY then heads out to tackle garbage collection and disposal all across the five boroughs of New York, which are further divided into 59 districts. The goal is to begin work early before the city becomes crowded with New Yorkers hurrying across the streets or filling up the subway statio...

Police officers may be among the bravest citizens in the United States, but they have a heart of gold. When they’re not catching criminals and restoring law and order, they’re serving the community in several different ways. Here are a few heartwarming good cop stories you should know about. Officer Helped Man in Wheelchair Mow His Lawn Often when they’re on duty and are patrolling the streets, cops will come across people who need their help. This is what happened with Officer Joe Hutson  a few years ago when he spotted a man in a wheelchair who was trying (unsuccessfully) to mow his lawn. Immediately, he arrived at the man’s house and offered to take over the mowing for him. He also sent his partner to pick up the necessary supplies such as a mower, leaf blower, and weed trimmer from the nearest station, and the two then joined forces to help the man’s lawn look neat and tidy. Cops Bought Parents a Car Seat Instead of Fining Them Car seat laws  vary b...

Collecting waste and recyclable materials is considered to be the fifth most dangerous job  in the United States. In a city as filthy as New York , the risks are even higher. With the outbreak of the coronavirus, waste levels have spiked by as much as 40%  in certain areas, putting sanitation workers at a high risk of getting infected. The Risks Posed to Sanitation Workers The biggest concern of sanitation workers at this time is how to prevent contracting the deadly disease themselves as they go about their work. While many businesses and commercial activities have shut down temporarily or shifted operations as per remote working guidelines, sanitation workers still have to show up to work every day. They’re part of the essential workers who’re crucial to society’s health and safety. However, since the coronavirus is a highly infectious disease that may be transmitted via infected surfaces, picking up trash from around the city is more dangerous than ever. Sanita...

In a city as vast and populated as New York, waste management and disposal is of the utmost importance. NYC has been said to be one of the filthiest cities in the world , and the task of keeping the streets clean and safe falls on no other than the city’s sanitation department. How do sanitation workers contribute to the city’s cleanliness? Let’s take a look. They Keep the City Running Unlike most individuals living in New York, sanitation workers don’t typically get to sleep in late or start their mornings at 9 am. Their shift begins much earlier, usually at 6 am. This means that many of them get up at as early as 3 am in the morning  to get dressed and arrive at the New York City Department of Sanitation on time. When the city sleeps, sanitation workers are up and about, picking up trash from residential and commercial sites. As the residents of NYC get ready to start their day, they’ve already been hard at work for a couple of hours, ensuring that the streets are ...

The world has shifted drastically ever since the pandemic struck. Not only has COVID-19 affected businesses and social activities, but has also impacted the way law enforcement agencies act  in the time of crisis. Here’s how the pandemic has changed law enforcement practices so far. Reduced Number of Arrests & Police Stops Police departments across the nation have been instructed to reduce the frequency of stops they make or the custodial arrests they carry out, in an attempt to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The Philadelphia Police Department , for instance, issued modified guidelines on the type of arrests that should be prioritized at this time. Offenses that fell in the categories of nonviolent crime such as vandalism, burglaries, possession of narcotics, and prostitution were effectuated via the Arrest Warrant. Police departments in NYC too have been instructed to delay arrests and minimize enforcement actions for actions that may be categorized as...

As COVID-19 continues to affect thousands of individuals across the US, the country’s firefighters are at risk of getting the virus  while on duty. There has been growing concern  for the safety and wellbeing of firefighters during this time of crisis, especially as many have already fallen ill or succumbed to the disease. How has the coronavirus changed the way firefighters respond to calls? Let’s take a look. What Happens When They Get the Call Up until a few months ago, once a call had been made to the fire department, the firefighters would pick up their regular gear and head out after getting the address and brief details of the site. With the onset of the coronavirus, things are a little different. Before firefighters arrive at the location they’re being requested at, they need to do some extra questioning to confirm whether or not a COVID-19 patient is going to be at the site. In addition to the regular questions they’d ask the caller, firefighters a...

Long Island’s law enforcement officers and first responders are always aware of and prepared for the potential injuries, fatal and otherwise. However, the global coronavirus pandemic has created an unprecedented situation that has killed tens of thousands of people across the country. The state of New York alone has 316, 415 confirmed cases, 34,855 of which are in Suffolk County . First responders and law enforcement officials are battling at the front lines of the outbreak. Here’s everything you need to know about the situation. Suffolk County Police Response All across Long Island, police officers, EMTs, firefighters, and correction officers are routinely answering 911 calls, responding to other emergencies, and transporting prisoners even as lockdown and stay-at-home directives have emptied several public spaces. Suffolk Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart has said  that 911 operators, who don’t typically come in contact with the public during their shifts, have b...

As the COVID-19 health crisis continues to grow more serious and claim increasing numbers of lives across the country, everything seems to have come to a screeching halt. With over one million Americans infected and at least 53,000 killed , the country is grappling with one of the worst crises in its history. Amid growing concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus, record numbers of people across the country are now working from home. Previously, the ability to work remotely was a luxury only the relatively affluent could afford, but that has now changed . However, workers who are deemed “essential” must continue working as before. Along with healthcare workers, sanitation workers, and reporters, firefighters, paramedics, and other first responders are considered essential by the US government . Fire departments and EMS agencies have been on the front lines of the outbreak because their work is crucial in the fight against the pandemic. That said, essential worker...