Latest news with #OrenBarzilay
CBS News
8 hours ago
- Health
- CBS News
NYC EMTs say they're understaffed and feeling the strain during summer heat
Ambulance response times in New York City have jumped. During the summer months, paramedics say they get even more calls. They fielded more than 1,000 calls a day this week because of the heat wave. It comes as EMTs say there's a staffing shortage. Paramedic Edgar Romero, who has been on the job for 20 years, works at FDNY EMS Station 27 in the Bronx. He says there aren't enough ambulances for the amount of calls coming in. "This week, with the heat, it has been unbearable. It's been tough. It's just been very busy," Romero said. "We have jobs holding two hours, three hours, sometimes even four hours." "The Bronx is suffering the most" According to the union representing 4,200 paramedics citywide, 911 calls went up significantly during this week's heat wave. They say there were 5,296 Monday, 5,208 Tuesday, and about 5,600 Wednesday. That's compared to a daily average of 4,325. "It's definitely a strain because there's hardly any units out there," Romero said. We're told 15-20 additional units are needed in the Bronx just to keep up with the amount of calls coming in. "The Bronx is suffering the most. Most of the calls on hold are in the Bronx. We simply don't have enough ambulances," EMS Local 2507 president Oren Barzilay said. "The demand is higher than the resources." According to the mayor's management report, response times have slowed down too. In 2023, it was 10:43. In 2024, it was 10:42. So how about this year? "We're over 11 minutes for critical calls such as cardiac arrest," Barzilay said. "Every second does matter," Romero said. Paramedic Joseph Arnold has been on the job for 13 years. He works at Station 14, next to Lincoln Hospital. "When we get there we do everything we can, but sometimes there aren't ideal outcomes," Arnold said. Barzilay says a staff shortage and high turnover rates due to workload and salary are also impacting their jobs to save lives as fast as they can. "We've been without a contract for three years," Barzilay said. "We need a raise, that's for sure. We need more people to come help us out," Romero said. The city told CBS News New York: "Under the Adams administration, our first responders are - and will always be - prioritized and properly funded to handle emergency medical calls. These brave men and women are saving New Yorkers' lives every minute - particularly during a heat wave - which is why we are hiring EMTs as fast as we can train them. We will always respond to every emergency call in a timely fashion." The FDNY said responding to emergency medical calls quickly is a top priority. During a heat wave, calls are prioritized to get to the neediest New Yorkers as soon as possible.
New York Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Mayor Adams and FDNY slapped with suit for moving 82 fire cadets into EMT roles
The Big Apple's largest municipal union is blasting city officials for sliding 82 firefighter trainees into EMT jobs — blowing past hiring lists and allegedly leaving certified candidates in the dust. District Council 37's Local 2507 — the union for FDNY EMTs and paramedics — accuse the FDNY and Mayor Adams of violating civil service law by appointing fire cadets to provisional EMT roles without exams or having ever applied for the job. 'These 82 people wanted nothing to do with EMS,' said Local 2507 president Oren Barzilay. 'They applied to become firefighters.' 6 Mayor Eric Adams is under fire as EMS union sues over the city's plan to push 82 Fire Cadets into EMT jobs — sidelining hundreds of certified EMTs waiting on official hiring lists. Andrew Schwartz / The cadets — part-time city employees — concluded a two-year training program in May intended to boost diversity in the FDNY. But after graduating, they weren't placed into the Fire Academy. Instead, the city enrolled them in EMT training that began June 16, according to a Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit. Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker, who is named in the suit, publicly addressed the decision at the cadet graduation — saying the move would help keep cadets on the payroll, give them union protection and prepare them for eventual firefighter training. 6 Oren Barzilay, president of the FDNY EMT union, says most of the cadets 'don't want to do this' and that forcing them into EMS roles wastes valuable training seats. Natan Dvir 'I thought it is in their best interest to become full-time employees of the FDNY, to go into a union, to get a raise, to get benefits and to begin to be trained as EMTs,' Tucker told families. 'One day, maybe they'll thank me. Maybe they won't.' But Barzilay said only 69 cadets reported for EMT training — and most don't plan to stick around. 6 While ambulances drive through the city, certified EMTs remain on standby, passed over for cadets who haven't taken the required civil service exams, the lawsuit alleges. William Miller None of the cadets took the EMT civil service exam or appear on the city's official hiring lists, the lawsuit, filed on June 13, claims. Meanwhile, Barzilay said hundreds of certified EMT candidates remain on standby. Some cadets are expected to join the Fire Academy in October, while others could stay in EMT roles for up to two years, Tucker said in his remarks. 'They tell us straight to our face, they don't want to do this,' Barzilay said. 'Once they graduate the EMS Academy, they're going straight to the Fire Academy.' 6 At the cadet commencement, FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said placing cadets in EMT roles would keep them employed, provide union benefits and prepare them for eventual firefighter training. Gabriella Bass Barzilay also raised public safety concerns, warning that pushing through trainees who don't want to be EMTs could lead to mistakes on the job. 'If they're not in it 100%, people can get hurt,' he said. 'Lives are on the line.' 6 The union's lawsuit alleges the city broke civil service laws by assigning cadets to EMT positions without proper exams or applications. Union leader Henry Garrido is seen here at an event with the mayor. Paul Martinka The union president also warned the move could signal a larger shift. 'It seems like they have an agenda to cross-train future firefighters into EMTs and paramedics — which ultimately would lead to the dissolvement of EMS,' he said. 6 Barzilay warned this move could be part of a broader plan to shift FDNY staffing by pushing future firefighters into EMT roles — a change he said might 'dissolve' EMS. William Miller A spokesperson for the FDNY said they are aware of the lawsuit and declined comment on ongoing litigation.
