FDNY EMS was established on March 17, 1996, following the merger of the New York City EMS system into the fire department.
The bureau controls the operation of all ambulances in the New York City 911 system. Around 70% of ambulances in the 911 system are FDNY EMS municipal units. The remaining 30% of 911 coverage is provided by hospital-based units known as voluntary hospital ambulances, staffed by paid hospital personnel working in partnership with FDNY EMS. Private ambulance services and volunteer ambulance corps also make resources available to supplement the 911 system.
The municipal sector includes BLS EMTs, ALS paramedics, hazmat units, rescue units, academy instructors, officers and dispatch. It has roughly 5,000 members, about 4,500 of whom are line-unit EMTs and paramedics.
The trade-off
FDNY EMS has the most job security of any sector, and the lowest wages. Entry pay for the first five years — the period in which roughly 70% of FDNY EMS quit — works out to between $16.50 and $19 per hour.
| Title | Stage | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| EMT | Entry | $39,386–47,016 |
| EMT | After 5 years | $59,534 |
| EMT | After 20 years | $76,472 |
| Paramedic | Entry | $53,891–60,796 |
| Paramedic | After 5 years | $75,872 |
| Paramedic | After 20 years | $92,635 |
Organize where you work.
EMSPAC is all-active-duty and all-volunteer. Joining is what lets us respond to hardships, push advocacy, and build a national organization around our demands.