The situation for New York City's emergency services has become increasingly dire, as fresh data points to a worrisome jump in ambulance response times. Life-threatening emergencies are now seeing ambulances arrive an average of 34 seconds later than they did in the previous fiscal year, with the current average time sitting at eight minutes and 48 seconds. This information, highlighted in the mayor’s management report, was further discussed in an article by The New York Post, where FDNY cited "ongoing staffing and recruiting troubles" as a significant factor behind this increase.
Despite an objective to reduce response times to under seven minutes, the Fire Department of New York has struggled to meet this goal. Its combined average response to life-threatening emergencies by ambulances and fire companies has also risen by 18 seconds, concluding at six minutes and 50 seconds for the first quarter of this fiscal year. In an effort to comprehensively address this challenge, FDNY has pointed to a smaller pool of potential recruits, which links to fewer in-service hours per day for EMS. The union representing paramedics and EMTs has not reached a new labor contract under Mayor Eric Adams, with issues like low pay deterring prospective recruits, as reported by The New York Post.
Another factor contributing to the longer response times is the added time ambulances spend on the road, as noted by a report from Crain's New York. Issues such as traffic congestion and hospital closures have been mentioned as contributing factors. In response, the FDNY has explored alternative solutions such as telehealth programs and non-transport paramedic services to mitigate the need for transport and on-road time.
Adding to the FDNY's challenges is the slower turnaround time encountered at hospital emergency departments, which have entangled EMS teams for lengths that can extend beyond 40 minutes. The agency began a hospital liaison program aimed at improving these turnaround times, which has shown promise at select locations where it has been implemented. The program has thus far not reached its full expansiveness, with only six of the planned nine sites operational, according to Crain's New York.
In response to the troubling trends revealed by the data, the FDNY and City Hall have expressed their commitment to tackling the issue head-on. City Hall spokeswoman Liz Garcia stated, "The Adams administration is dedicated to making sure New Yorkers get the services they need when they need them," according to a statement obtained by The New York Post. As it stands, the pathway to significantly improved response times will seemingly require a multifaceted approach, addressing infrastructure, staffing, and operational efficiency in unison.
