Emergency ambulance response times in New York City have increased significantly over the past decade, raising concerns among officials and residents about timely access to critical medical care. Recent data show that response times for life-threatening emergencies are now 41.2 percent longer than they were 10 years ago, while times for non-life-threatening calls have more than doubled, according to a report from the New York City comptroller.
Jennifer Daly, a day care owner in Queens, recounted her experience during a City Council hearing on the issue. On September 28, her 14-year-old son, Kevin, exhibited signs of a stroke while at school in Howard Beach. Despite multiple 911 calls from the school nurse and Daly’s retired firefighter husband, an ambulance did not arrive for nearly an hour. Daly eventually took her son to the hospital herself, where tests confirmed he had suffered a stroke. Medical professionals noted that early diagnosis was aided by Kevin’s sister, who recognized symptoms through prior first aid training.
City officials acknowledge the worsening emergency response times. Joann Ariola, chair of the Council Committee on Fire and Emergency Management, described the situation as a visible failure to provide timely medical care to all New Yorkers. John Esposito, chief of the Fire Department of New York, called the delays unacceptable and said department leadership is working to reverse the trend. He attributed the problem largely to staffing shortages driven by low pay.
Though the department’s budget allows for 4,500 emergency medical service (EMS) workers, it currently employs about 4,000, Esposito said. Entry-level EMS technicians earn roughly $44,000 annually, less than starting pay for other uniformed city workers, including sanitation employees and firefighters. Even after five years, EMS technicians make less than $70,000, compared to more than $100,000 for counterparts in other departments. Both department officials and union representatives cite these disparities as key factors in recruitment and retention challenges.
Contract negotiations between EMS unions and the mayor’s office are ongoing, with the previous contract having lapsed in 2022. City budget officials have expressed concerns that raising EMS pay significantly could create costly precedents for other city unions.
The strain on emergency services is compounded by high call volumes and the closure of 19 hospitals in New York City since 2003, reducing available facilities for patient transfers and lengthening ambulance travel distances. Paul Miano, chief of emergency medical service operations, testified that more than 90 ambulances are out of service daily, primarily due to staffing shortages.
Additional incidents highlight the ongoing difficulties. On October 3, a 16-year-old boy who broke his leg playing basketball on the Upper East Side waited more than two hours for Fire Department ambulance assistance, according to a letter from City Council speaker Julie Menin. The boy’s father arranged private transport after a prolonged wait; the Fire Department later contacted the initial 911 caller to check if the ambulance was still required.
Fire Department officials stated that some calls, including Kevin Daly’s, were improperly triaged due to heavy call volumes and miscommunication between EMS and police dispatchers. Efforts are underway to enhance interagency coordination and improve call classification.
A spokesperson for Mayor Eric Adams emphasized the administration’s commitment to providing adequate staffing, compensation, and resources for EMS personnel to ensure timely emergency care for all city residents. Meanwhile, families like the Dalys continue to share their experiences, underscoring the urgency of addressing these systemic challenges.