By Michael V. Cusenza
Mayor Eric Adams recently signed two bills into law: one requiring the City to provide body armor to all Fire Department Emergency Medical Technicians and paramedics; and a second that provides de-escalation and self-defense training to all members of the FDNY Emergency Medical Services.
The City already provides body armor to all FDNY EMS employees upon the completion of their training and offers replacements when members make a request. The new legislation codifies that all FDNY EMS members will have access to this protection permanently, Adams noted.
According to Intro. 126-A, the body armor must meet ballistic and stab resistance standards of the National Institute of Justice.
“Every day the brave men and women of the FDNY’s EMS provide emergency medical care to New Yorkers, often under very difficult circumstances,” Adams said. “Our FDNY EMS members have always had the backs of New Yorkers, and today, we are making sure the city has theirs by providing extra protection for them while they are out saving lives. I applaud my colleagues in the City Council for their partnership in passing this legislation and look forward to continuing to work together to support the selfless heroes who always show up when we need them most.”
The mayor specifically thanked Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli, who sponsored both bills, and Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park), prime co-sponsor of the legislation and chairwoman of the Council Committee on Fire and Emergency Management, “for seeing how important it was to getting this done.”
Intro. 127-A requires the provision of de-escalation and self-defense training to all EMS employees at least once every three years. The training will address the unique characteristics of emergency medical services, with a focus on violent situations in the context of patient care. FDNY provides extensive de-escalation and self-defense training to all members during probationary training.
“FDNY EMS members respond to calls day and night, delivering crucial emergency medical care to New Yorkers,” said City Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh. “Their safety is incredibly important, as is providing them with the protection they need. While the FDNY already provided body armor to all EMTs, we are grateful to the mayor and the City Council for supporting our efforts.”
Borelli noted that members of FDNY EMS “put themselves in harm’s way to save New Yorkers’ lives. They are often the first to arrive on the scene, and the most vulnerable. The least we can do is help protect them so they, too, can get home safe to their families.”
Ariola added, “I’m sorry that we have to pass bills like this. But this council, this speaker, this mayor—when something is needed—we pull together. This passed unanimously, and it had bipartisan support. So thank you again to the department, the union, the mayor, and the minority leader for his leadership on this. As chair of [the Committee on] Fire and Emergency Management, I will continue to fight for each and every Member of Service, for each and every first responder.”
