Public Employee Press

Paramedics battle cutbacks

In a cost-cutting effort — one the union says could cost lives — the Fire Dept. wants to slash the number of Paramedics from two to one in ambulances that respond to life-threatening calls.

Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta says the move would put an advanced life support ambulance on the scene within 10 minutes in 90 percent of the calls — up from the current 81 percent.

Uniformed EMTs and Paramedics Local 2507 say the proposal would risk New Yorkers’ lives.

“Even if you get one Paramedic to the scene a little quicker, they’ve still got to do the job of two people,” said Robert A. Ungar, legislative council and spokesperson for the local.

“One Paramedic can only do one thing at a time. In situations like cardiac arrest, where speed is crucial, you need two sets of fully certified and trained hands.”

In New York City, Paramedics are required to undergo 1,500 hours of special training and complete a field internship to be certified.

Paramedics are trained in many intricate procedures. They insert breathing tubes into patients and administer intravenous medications and drips using complex medical equipment. With the defibrillator, they can restart a dying heart.

EMTs, skilled in basic life support procedures, complete a training course of 150 hours before certification. EMTs are not legally permitted to perform many of the functions that Paramedics handle.

Paramedic John Langley has 18 years of experience rescuing New Yorkers in crisis. “We deal with people who are near death and often with their families who are panicking in the background,” said Mr. Langley, who works out of Emergency Medical Battalion 18 in the Bronx. “But the proposal sounds nice on paper.”

Evelyn Arroyo has 13 years on city ambulances under her belt. “Ideally we should have three people with us,” she said. And in a hospital emergency room, even more help deals with a cardiac arrest.

Currently the Regional Emergency Medical Services Council is considering the FDNY’s proposal. If the regional council approves the plan, the FDNY says it will conduct a feasibility study. To be implemented, the changes must also be approved by the state Dept. of Health.

“This sounds like a plan to weaken our union,” said Local President Pat Bahnken. “We’ll fight this every step of the way.”