EMERGENCY PROS: GIVE US $UPPLIES

By STEPHANIE GASKELL and LARRY CELONA

June 30, 2003 -- While New York would be better off than other American cities if terrorists struck, more should be done to train and equip first responders, like cops, firefighters and medics, union officials said yesterday.

The NYPD has begun courses on terrorism for its recruits, added more cops to the Joint Terrorism Task Force and beefed up patrols around key targets.

But Pat Lynch, the president of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, said it's not enough.

"The state and the federal government need to send more aid to New York City," Lynch said. "Our members are no better trained or equipped than they were on Sept. 10, 2001."

Lynch said more cops should be supplied with gas masks as well as biohazard and chemical protective suits.

He said new training has been given to only one class at the Police Academy and other cops should take the same courses.

The Uniformed Firefighters Association said it wants better training on chemical and biological detection devices.

FDNY spokesman Frank Gribbon said his department has already instituted new courses and received new radios and protective suits. It also has placed vehicles and equipment in strategic locations around the city.

"The department feels an obligation to give more firefighters more training and more equipment," said Gribbon.

Mayor Bloomberg said, "I think in this city, if we could get a little more federal money, we'd be in good shape."