One-third of NYC EMS workers intend to resign over pay disparities, according to union officials.
In New York City, more than a third of the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and paramedics are projected to leave their positions this year, exacerbating an ongoing staffing crisis in the firefighting and emergency response community. Union representatives attribute this mass exodus to significant pay disparities that have left some first responders financially vulnerable, with reports of personnel living in homeless shelters due to inadequate wages.
During a recent City Council budget hearing, Oren Barzilay, president of EMS Local 2507, revealed alarming statistics indicating that approximately 1,500 medical first responders are expected to resign within the year. The current workforce of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) comprises 4,369 members, who rank as the lowest-paid first responders across the city’s five boroughs. Barzilay noted that the projected reduction in personnel could lead to prolonged emergency response times, which have already increased by more than two minutes since 2021. He highlighted that 80% of 911 calls pertain to medical emergencies, further straining an overstretched system.
Barzilay emphasized that the significant turnover rate reflects a dire reality where EMS personnel are underappreciated and underpaid despite their critical role. He pointed out that EMS professionals begin their careers with salaries approximately ,000 less than their firefighter counterparts within the same agency. New recruits entering the EMS Academy earn an annual salary of ,386, rising to ,000 after five years, whereas firefighters start at ,196 and can earn upwards of 0,000 within the same timeframe.
Additionally, Barzilay voiced concerns over the living conditions faced by some EMS workers, who have been forced to seek refuge in homeless shelters due to the inability to secure affordable housing on their salaries. He described this reality as an affront to the dignity of first responders who risk their lives to serve the community.
Contract negotiations between EMS unions and City officials are currently in progress, and union leaders are pressing for adjustments to salaries to mitigate the impending crisis. Vincent Variale, president of the Uniformed Emergency Medical Service Officers Union, emphasized the urgency of the situation, characterizing a potential 70% turnover rate in the coming years as unsustainable.
City Council discussions have previously included measures to increase EMS salaries by an estimated million in the budget to address these disparities, a proposal that Variale hopes will re-emerge for the upcoming fiscal cycle. He underscored the critical nature of adequate compensation to ensure that EMS personnel can thrive while serving the city.
Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore backed the call for pay parity, stating that addressing these salary disparities is essential for enhancing staffing levels and performance within the EMS system. Councilwoman Joann Ariola, chair of the Committee on Fire and Emergency Management, also highlighted the need for pay equity to retain qualified EMS personnel.
Discussions regarding improving the infrastructure of EMS facilities and increasing the number of firefighters on each engine crew were also foregrounded as vital steps towards enhancing service efficiency and responsiveness to emergencies. The ongoing deliberations reflect the city’s commitment to addressing the pressing concerns of its emergency medical services, aiming to create a sustainable and well-equipped workforce capable of meeting the needs of New York City residents.
As the Council and city officials continue to negotiate the budget, the outcomes will be critical in shaping the future of emergency medical services within the metropolis, where public health and safety continue to be paramount.
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