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FDNY*EMS: Time for Big Changes?

FDNY is the largest fire department in the United States and is a trendsetter. A recent report by the Citizens Budget Commission, a New York City watchdog organization puts some very interesting handwriting on the FDNY wall. The report, "Twenty Years Later: Integrating Services In The New York City Fire ..." reflects growing call volumes, steadily declining fires and ever increasing EMS runs. Nothing different than the experience of any other fire department. The recommendations in this report, however, call for a pretty serious reorganization of the FDNY in order to meet the changing demand for service in the Big Apple. It's worth a read.

Mike McEvoy, EMS Editor - Fire Engineering magazine

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Comment by Shawn Grady on December 13, 2015 at 7:50pm: Interesting article, Mike. Out here in the west it is so common to have dual role firefighter/paramedics that the FDNY doesn't seem like much of a trendsetter when it comes to fire department EMS response. But I am sure that there are many east coast departments who will follow suit in the direction FDNY chooses to go in. I know that my own dept, Reno Fire Dept., was relatively slow getting into EMS, not having a majority of firefighters with EMT certification until the late nineties, and just now becoming a paramedic dept.

The article makes some broad assumptions about resource/manpower utilization, as well. As though having an EMT capable engine crew would somehow negate the need for an ambulance. My guess is that most often that would not be the case, as most EMT's are hesitant to AMA a patient due to liability if a higher level medical authority is en route. The advantage of cross-training does not appear to be in any cost savings due to reduction of manpower, but merely the logistical advantage of the utilization of that manpower in both primary fire or primary EMS roles.

Thanks for the post—

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