Res 1062-2019

By Council Members Miller, Cumbo, Adams, Chin, Rosenthal, Borelli, Rodriguez, Moya, Kallos, Koo, Ayala, Brannan, Holden, Ampry-Samuel, Lander, Cabrera, Constantinides, Menchaca, Reynoso, Louis, King, Richards, Rose, Cornegy, Powers, Rivera, Levine, Gibson, Vallone, Maisel and the Public Advocate (Mr. Williams) Whereas, The brave men and women who serve the Fire Department of New York's ("FDNY") Bureau of Emergency Medical Services ("EMS") respond to life threatening injuries and medical emergencies, helping to ensure the well-being of the residents of New York City, as well as those who work in and visit the City; and Whereas, EMS is one of the most diverse groups of first responders in the City's workforce, comprised of approximately 30% women and more than 50% minorities; and Whereas, During Fiscal Year 2018, there were approximately 4,400 EMS personnel on staff which were charged with responding to more than 1.5 million medical emergencies including nearly 569,000 life-threatening incidents; and Whereas, EMS runs account for more than 80% of the FDNY's annual emergency calls; and Whereas, These emergency medical service personnel respond to every major life threatening emergency that occurs in the City; and Whereas, These emergencies include hazardous materials incidents, building collapses, transportation accidents, utility-related emergencies, natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and extensive medical responses, throughout the City; and Whereas, Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the bravery and dedication of the City's EMS has been nationally highlighted; and Whereas, The FDNY directed that only EMS would initially respond to calls in which COVID-19 symptoms were reported; and Whereas, At the peak of the outbreak, as many as 7,000 emergency calls were placed in a single day, a level not seen since September 11, 2001; including the highest three-day call volume in FDNY history; and Whereas, EMS members receive only 12 days of leave sick annually compared to unlimited sick leave for firefighters; and Whereas, Due to exposure of COVID-19, one quarter of EMS members called out sick at the height of the pandemic, resulting in the deaths of four active duty EMS members; and Whereas, Despite working what felt like endless shifts during the pandemic, beleaguered EMS workers continued to answer the call of New Yorkers in need; and Whereas, The daily heroism of EMS workers continues to be underappreciated as they are not fairly compensated when compared to other City first responders; and Whereas, In recognition of EMS workers' valor and commitment to the people and visitors of our great City, New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Council Member I. Daneek Miller have publicly called for higher wages and increased benefits for our City's Best; and Whereas, According to the FDNY, EMS Emergency Medical Technicians ("EMT") receive a starting salary of $35,254, which increases to only $50,604 after 5 years; and Whereas, Additionally, EMS Paramedics receive a starting salary $48,237, which increases to only $65,226 after five years; and Whereas, Starting salaries of the City's police officers and firefighters are nearly $8,000 more than that of EMS; and Whereas, After five years of service, FDNY firefighters make approximately $110,000 including fringe benefits; and Whereas, It is long overdue for the City to ensure that EMTs, Paramedics and EMS Officers are compensated fairly and offered substantial wage increases to ensure they are paid similar to other first responders; and Whereas, Remedying this long-standing pay disparity would help provide equality among EMS and other emergency medical personnel in the New York City as well as boost moral for our City's Best; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls for the salaries of New York City emergency medical service personnel to be comparable to New York City's firefighters and police officers. WJH 5/27/20 LS 11553