EMS sectors
The same job, split across four funding channels with different benefits, uniform colors, vehicle colors, conditions and levels of prestige.
EMTs are the workhorse of the system. Paramedics bring advanced life support — endotracheal intubation, IV/IO/IN/IM medications, electrical cardiac therapies and EKG interpretation — to the field. Roughly four fifths of NYC EMS are EMTs and one fifth are paramedics.
Those members are divided into four sectors with different funding channels, varying benefits, uniform colors, vehicle colors, conditions and levels of prestige: FDNY 911 Municipal, Voluntary Hospital-based 911, Private Interfacility Transport, and Community Volunteers. In industry terms — “FDNY,” the “Voluntaries,” the “Privates” and the “Vollies.”
Controls operation of all ambulances in the NYC 911 system, and staffs roughly 70% of them.
Voluntary Hospital~2,500 membersHospital-based units operating inside the 911 system alongside FDNY crews.
Private Sector~6,000 membersCommercial companies on contract, mostly interfacility and non-emergent transport.
Community Volunteers~3,500 membersOver 42 agencies, from Chevra Hatzalah to neighborhood volunteer ambulance corps.
Security vs. wages
| Sector | Job security | Wages & benefits |
|---|---|---|
| FDNY Municipal | Highest | Lowest wages, strong benefits |
| Voluntary Hospital | Far less | Highest wages and benefits |
| Private Sector | Little to none | Poor wages, poor benefits |
| Community Volunteers | Unpaid | Largely unpaid service |
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.