Volunteer Ambulance Driver Detained by Cops in New York

August 30, 2005 -- A "hot-headed" volunteer ambulance driver was detained by cops last night after refusing to yield to a city ambulance crew that had arrived first at the Lower East Side home of an Alzheimer's patient, police said.

The driver, from the Jewish volunteer corps Hatzolah, was hauled off by cops. But he was later sprung after about two dozen supporters, as well as Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, rushed to the Pitt Street station house.

"The outcome was totally in our favor," a man who identified himself as the president of Hatzolah said as he jumped into his car.

Silver said he had rushed to the precinct simply to "help mediate the dispute."

"It was a jurisdictional dispute," the state's most powerful Democrat said. "They all have to work together for the betterment of the people here."

According to police, the EMS crew was already on the scene when the Hatzolah team pulled up to the Grand Street apartment.

The city crew was assisting the emotionally disturbed woman