NEW YORK — Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill on Oct. 22 that would have required two-person staffing on EMS ambulances and supervisor units responding to patients in cities with over one million residents.
The measure, Emergency Response Staffing Bill (S. 6698/A. 7356), passed unanimously by the Assembly and Senate, was introduced in memory of FDNY Lt. Allison Russo-Elling, who was fatally stabbed while on a break in 2022.
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Russo was working alone when she was killed, which is what inspired the bill’s introduction by lawmakers.
Hochul said she vetoed the bill due to financial concerns, noting that meeting the proposed standards would require New York City to hire about 290 additional EMTs at an annual cost of $25 million, PIX11 reported.
“In this day and age, with the crime in our city, with the lack of respect to authority, we’re sending people out on their own to high-crime-rate areas, and they are exposed to the dangers,” FDNY EMS Local 2507 President Oren Barzilay told CBS New York.
Current law sets the minimum EMS staffing at just one responder. Union officials argue New York City prioritizes other spending over public safety, leaving EMS crews vulnerable to assaults.
Does your department or agency have a minimum staffing number for treating patients and for supervisors in the field?
EMS1 readers respond
“There are always 2 people in an ambulance responding, however, if no units are available it is common for a supervisor or other first responder to respond alone to attempt to stabilize the patient until an ambulance arrives on scene.”
“5 man minimum including the OIC.”
“Forego the small inflation checks and use that to start to find the money to allow EMS workers to have a partner as they show up to emergencies. Alison Russo was a tragedy not to be repeated. Please!”
“Thankfully, in Ithaca, NY, our ambulances are always staffed by 2 medics, with IFD rescue trucks as support. Our supervisor SUVs are staffed by one medic, but again, they respond in addition to regular crews as needed, as well as meeting up with outlying rural FD crews who may not always have ALS crews available. Two-person crews are optimal for great patient care! If more staff needs to be hired for safety, then so be it!”
