EMSPAC Interview: On Staten Island, Other NYC Boroughs, Ambulance Response Times Suffering – May Be Due To Staffing Shortages Resulting From Low Wage For Ems Workers
We previously covered this issue in some detail, and this weekend we are bringing you an interview with a representative of EMSPAC, an organization seeking to unite all of the different EMS workers serving this great city and fight for better wages, benefits, and safer workplaces (to the extent that this can be controlled). This is a serioius issue, particularly because in some instances, it pays more to work in McDonalds, and, other than a few rare instances where customers go crazy, it is a lot safer to work there, too. Those who serve our city in this capacity do so out of a love for the work and a desire to help others, since it clearly isn’t for the paycheck, which has required some to seek shelter in the City’s shelter system, as they can’t afford to live near where they work. See below for an interview with a current EMS worker familiar with the issues. Check back in the next couple of months for further coverage of this issue, as we will be reaching out to Councilmember Morano, who is fighting for these workers in City Hall:
Are the unions that represent FDNY EMS members lobbying the mayor or the City Council (or the state, if applicable) for help with this wage issue? Have they been able to meet with members or the Mayor?
They are lobbying in a highly limited fashion usually. They are not engaging the council and rely on a relationship with CM Joann Areola who 100% is firefighter first. The 2507 leaders do periodically testify at Hearings and go to Albany to meet officials. They rarely involve their rank in file in this.
Are you facing any organizations that are lobbying the council or the mayor to keep things as they are?
The IAFF-UFA has actively lobbied to maintain the stautus quo of 86% of FDNY Budget going to fire not EMS.
Is there something that could be done today, for instance by the Mayor, that could go a long way to resolving the problems the FDNY EMS is facing? Are there other EMS systems in the city or state that are doing this better? Is there legislation that the council could pass that is on the table or in committee right now that your organization is supporting?
We support the the Department of EMS Bill that former CM Brannan intoduced. We support sector wage minimums for EMS and employer paid debriefing days for members on hard calls.
You had mentioned in one of your answers that the mayor has not expressed interest in helping union members because they support and vote for Republicans. How can this issue be described in a way as to motivate action regardless of political affiliation? Such as the benefits to the greater New York City area of an ambulance system with improved functionality, like saving more lives, for example, or other secondary and tertiary benefits that would be good for all New Yorkers.
It is not as though the Republican CMS have advanced EMS either. No politician cares about this because it not a coherent bloc of votes or money to campaign finance. More than half of EMS is Republican and doesn’t participate or feel represented by 1199SEIUs left of center lobbying. Most EMS don’t vote as EMS. Local 2057 endorsed Cuomo. This shouldn’t be a partisan issue but it is more an issue which no politcian cares to deal with this until response times get crazy and people start dying.
Can you talk about any statistics that would demonstrate the increased need for a better salary and other work-related improvements, such as shift flexibility, to motivate workers to want to become EMS or to stay? That could be from surveys or from other data showing an impact on retention or hiring of these factors, and it could be in comparison to the non-FDNY EMS in the city, such as those at the hospitals.
If you think paying people $19 to try and bring back people from the dead is normal, well it’s not. EMTs and Paramedics have an exhausting job, a dangerous job. Employers of EMS need to pay wages comparable to PD and Fire if they want people to stay in this field. It is physically and emotionally taxing and needs to be compensated like other first responders. They have been saying this for 30 years now. The issue now is that most 911 calls, 85% are for EMS; yet we are all working 40% below PD and Fire.
Are there other municipalities, whether in New York or elsewhere, that demonstrate similar issues related to cost of living and worker retention being tackled in a meaningful way? Are you aware of other states that have shown how to solve this problem?
Nassau County PD EAB pays well for single medic units. California and Washingtson state pay well. EMS in Boston are paid well. The solution is third service EMS not embedding EMS in Fire and PD; we will never be equal in this situation.
Banner Image: One Service, One Fight graphic. Image Credit – EMSPAC
ShareTweetAS SUMMER HEATS UP, THE NYC HEALTH DEPARTMENT RELEASES NEW REPORT ON HEAT-RELATED DEATHS AND OPENS NEW COOLING CENTERS Annual Report Finds Approximately…
There are no comments yet
Why not be the first