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NYC Ambulance Delays Crisis Grows
20 Oct
Summary
- Ambulance response times in NYC have increased significantly over the past decade.
- EMTs report cardiac arrest calls now exceed 14 minutes for response.
- Staff shortages and hospital closures are cited as causes for delays.
A joint City Council hearing is addressing critical concerns over ambulance response times across New York City's five boroughs. Lawmakers from the Committees on Fire and Emergency Management and Hospitals are scrutinizing disparities in response times and the allocation of EMS resources.
The Fire Department of New York (FDNY), NYC Health + Hospitals, and union representatives are providing testimony. Union leaders have voiced alarm over a substantial increase in response times over the past decade. Specifically, they noted that responses to cardiac arrest calls now frequently exceed 14 minutes.
Testimony suggested that hospital closures and persistent staff shortages within EMS are key drivers of these prolonged delays. The Uniformed EMS Officers Union is advocating for increased mayoral and city council support and funding to improve staffing levels. Additionally, the hearing is considering legislation that would mandate emergency notifications when FDNY-EMS has over 25 pending ambulance dispatches.
