A number of ambulance units across Brookhaven Town say they have an emergency of their own -- headquarters that are so substandard they could impact how units respond to emergencies.

Medford Ambulance District members say the town has ignored pleas to fix district headquarter buildings constructed by Brookhaven Town. Problems in the Medford structure range from flooding to dampness and are so bad the town has yet to issue a certificate of occupancy. For five years, the ambulance corps has staved off catastrophe by using funds from their operating budget to repair the building. Mt. Sinai and East Moriches ambulance districts say they have encountered similar problems.

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian Foley blames the shoddy construction on former administrators who approved and oversaw building of the projects. Those administrators have been replaced, says Foley, who has promised town funds to repair the buildings.