Introduction
The Emergency Medical Services Political Action Committee (EMSPAC)-501(c)(4) mobilizes NYC EMS to engage in political action around legislative issues that affect their workforce. The subject of this policy brief is the pay and benefits parity of 4,500 Municipal EMS. This proposal necessitates the adjustment of the Municipal budget to provide greater funding to the city Ambulance Service.
The subject of this policy brief is the mental health, safety, and general wellness of the 15,500. This proposal necessitates the formation of an EMS General Coordinating Committee (GCC) body to manage and
distribute the funding for Mental Health, Safety, and Wellness measures to all sectors based on the
number of assaults on EMS professionals, the steady wave of EMS suicides, and other related needs.
Policy Arguments
We are seeking City and State Funding for a wide range of measures to support EMS Wellness, Health, and Safety. We seek the following programs and policies to be framed as municipal law and budget allocations.
- A well-staffed crisis line and drop-in center in each borough.
- A unified system of crisis debriefing and monthly support groups for EMS members in all boroughs.
- Sponsorship of monthly EMS Debrief and Support drop-in groups in all boroughs.
- All agency/sector EMS Peer mentorship program jointly managed by REMSCO, FDNY, and HHC.
- The mandate of EVOC/CEVO Training in all EMS Programs/Academies as standard for graduating EMTs.
- Provide subsidized ongoing martial arts training to all active-duty EMS.
- Provide adequate and acceptable ongoing de-escalation training.
- Provide individually issued PPE, helmets, boots, and respiratory masks.
- Provide Bulletproof vests to all 911 units on request.
- Standardize 911 EMS Uniforms across all sectors.
- End the usage of lights and sirens by private EMS for non-emergency transports.
- End the reliance on private-sector EMS in the 911 system.
- Mandate all agencies to provide built-in critical incident stress PTO days to be activated after serious calls.
- Uniform annual physical tracking for all EMS professionals.
- Subsidized therapy as needed paid for by the employing agency.
- Subsidized gym membership.
- Mandatory out-of-service lunch breaks for all units.
Conclusion
The EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEEMSPAC-501(c)4 seeks proper funding
for support groups, hotlines, and psychological support for Critical Incident Stress management. We
request adequate PPE, bulletproof vests, and standardization of all equipment in the 911 sector across all
agencies. We demand: EVOC, martial arts, and de-escalation built into all EMT training programs. We pursue to end all private EMS companies using lights and sirens to expedite non-emergency calls.
We seek an end to all private sector agencies in the 911 system.
Contact
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
(EMSPAC 501(c)4)
EMTP Walter Adler, President
EMT David Bezprozvany, Executive Vice President
EMTP Ovadia Choueka, Treasurer
EMT Jesse Stephen, Secretary General
EMSPAC.c4@gmail.com
WWW.EMSPAC-C4.ORG
