Dear COBA Members;

COBA is happy to announce that we have secured a donation of 5 Ultraviolet Decontamination Units from Gallettair HVAC company of Babylon. You may have seen a story on this firm in Newsday recently where the owner wanted to help First Responders during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

As reported in Newsday, through his decades of experience in the HVAC field, Carmine Galletta knew that UV light had long been used to sanitize homes and businesses. Researchers at Columbia University's Center for Radiological Research reported last month that a narrow-wavelength band of UV light known as UVC - similar to the lights used in Galletta's cabinets - can curtail transmission of the virus in indoor public spaces. Along with GalletAir's longtime service manager Paul Mazzeo, Carmine Galletta designed the units out of filing cabinets, UV lights and timers. Galletta said it takes 15 to 20 minutes to kill viruses and bacteria on items placed in the units. Mr. Galletta also donated units to the Suffolk County Police Dept, Suffolk Sheriffs Dept and is in talks with Nassau County Police. Nassau COBA sincerely thanks Carmine Galletta, Paul Mazzeo and Retired Cpl. Robert Napoli for making this connection happen and for donating these units to COBA to help keep our Correction Officers safe and healthy. We will make sure that they are placed in areas where they will provide the best protection for our members.

See photos below of the units being built and delivered: