Public Employee Press

Pataki signs EMS benefit bills

Uniformed EMTs and Paramedics Local 2507 and Uniformed EMS Officers Local 3621 won major victories when Gov. George E. Pataki recently signed into law two bills improving benefits and procedures for their members.

One law authorizes a lifetime salary payment to spouses of Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics and EMS officers who are killed in the line of duty. The legislation gives these members a death benefit similar to the provision for families of Police Officers, Firefighters and Correction Officers who lose their lives while doing their jobs.

Prior to the new legislation, the families of EMS workers who died while on the job received the same death benefit as civilian workers: a lump-sum payment of up to three years’ salary. The new law provides a recurring monthly payment for the life of the surviving spouse, based on the deceased worker’s salary.

The EMS locals won a second important improvement when Gov. Pataki approved a law that makes it easier for members to qualify for a service-related disability pension.

The legislation gives members of the two locals the right to seek an independent medical review if their applications for higher-paying disability pensions are rejected by the New York City Employees Retirement System. An outside review can avoid the expense and delay of filing a lawsuit in state court to reverse an unfavorable decision by NYCERS.

“These are two very important victories for our membership,” said Local 2507 President Pat Bahnken.

“Our members put their lives on the line for the people of this city every day. Enacting these laws was the right thing to do.” He added, “We want to thank the legislative leaders for their role in getting them passed and the governor for signing them.”