Public Told First Responders Are Priority for Fuel The government says the public should stay away from free New York fuel stations until emergency responders get their gas. Long lines of vehicles and pedestrians formed Saturday after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the U.S. Department of Defense was opening the mobile fuel stations in New York City and on suburban Long Island. The state Division of Military and Naval Affairs then issued an advisory asking the public to stay away until more fuel is released.