Res 1060-2025

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 New York City residents, as well as those who work in and visit the City; and Whereas, During Fiscal Year 2024, there were approximately 4,400 EMS personnel on staff, charged with responding to more than 1.6 million medical emergencies including 633,361 life-threatening medical emergency incidents; and Whereas, EMS personnel respond to every major life-threatening emergency that occurs in the City and EMS-runs account for more than 80% of the FDNY's annual emergency calls; and Whereas, These emergencies include hazardous materials incidents, building collapses, transportation accidents, utility-related emergencies, natural disasters, extensive medical responses and acts of terrorism, throughout the City; and Whereas, The Regional Emergency Medical Services Council of New York City ("RESMSCO") is responsible under Article 30 of the New York State Public Health Law ("Public Health Law") for establishing and designating policy and administrative authority within the New York City region; and Whereas, RESMCO current staffing protocols for both transporting and non-transporting basic life support and advanced life support response units is a minimum of two individuals who are certified by the New York State Department of Health; and Whereas, Staffing ambulance units with a minimum of two certified individuals not only ensures a more robust response to medical emergencies but also provides a team structure to help protect EMS staff from potential job risks, such as assaults on staff; and Whereas, Under section 3005-A of the Public Health Law, registered ambulance services are only required to staff one certified first responder with a patient; and Whereas, The Public Health Law should reflect and be consistent with the protocols established by REMSCO for New York City; and Whereas, A.7356-A, introduced by New York State Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato, and companion bill S.6698-A, introduced by New York State Senator Robert Jackson, seek to amend the Public Health Law by setting a minimum staffing level of two certified first responders performing emergency medical services in the 911 system in a city with a population of over one million people; and Whereas, A.7356-A/S.6698-A, would codify the REMSCO minimum standard for staffing ambulance units and require it statewide; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass A.7365-A/S.6698-A, which would set minimum staffing standards for employees performing emergency medical services in the 911 system in a city with a population of over one million people. WJH 9/3/25 LS 20006