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FDNY to spend $5M to reduce EMS response times

The department will send out SUVs ahead of ambulances to areas experiencing high call volumes

NEW YORK — The FDNY plans on spending $5 million on two pilot programs to reduce EMS response times in the city.

The New York Daily News reported EMS response times increased by more than 20 seconds last year. The department plans to send fire SUV’s carrying a paramedic ahead of ambulances to neighborhoods in the Bronx. The “fly cars” will be faster than typical ambulances.

The department will also send a group of 10 additional basic life support tours, which will be staffed with EMTs, to areas experiencing high call volumes.

FDNY ambulances had an average response time of 7 minutes and 13 seconds in life-threatening emergencies and an average of 9 minutes and 59 seconds to respond to calls in 2015. In 2014, it took 6 minutes and 50 seconds for life-threatening calls and 9 minutes and 23 seconds for all calls.

The FDNY’s slowest response times were in the Bronx.

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