FDNY Strategic Plan 2025

I do care about both people trapped in fires AND ALSO those requiring EMS. I am a former Paramedic and was an EMT for 27 years in both professional and volunteer organizations. But the proper response for EMS is an Ambulance capable of transporting a patient or patients, not a fire apparatus manned by CFR trained well-meaning firefighters, limited by their ability to package AND transport sick or injured patients. We need more ambulances not having ladder companies or for that matter engine companies responding and then waiting for an ambulance to arrive.
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired.
 
Cap, you are correct however it's a double-edged sword. Until the public stops using EMS as a taxi service or a "back door" into the ER to get faster service, things won't change. If they don't get what they want then the lawsuits start, and the ball keeps rolling. It's the "all about me" syndrome that really pulls the system down.
 
Imagine some of the Ladders being tied up on CFR runs when a job comes in: L3, L22, L50, L105, L111, L112, L159.....and there are others that if they are tied up the second due truck has a long run.
 
HFN01 said:
Some interesting proposals. A few things I noticed:
- Looking at a potential pilot program to have ladder companies to respond to CFRD
- Looking at having fire companies be able to get a refusal of medical attention without having to wait for EMS to free up resources
- Looking at having EMS members maintain their paramedical licenses after transferring to fire
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So you cannot be a paramedic and be a firefighter?
 
baileyjeff said:
So you cannot be a paramedic and be a firefighter?
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As far as I know, FDNY members can't be both EMS and Fire, it would make no sense, it has to be either or. FDNY doesn't operate like most FD's who have FF's trained in BLS/ALS and riding the Medic. They want EMS members who transfer to Fire to keep their Paramedic certifications and not just let them expire.
 
Darrell said:
Am I reading this wrong or FF's can't be certified above a EMT-B?
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There are more paramedics and EMTs riding FDNY fire apparatus then on FDNY ambulances. That said firefighters are only trained to the CFR level through the department and operate accordingly, anything else would be acting outside their scope of practice.
 
Lebby said:
There are more paramedics and EMTs riding FDNY fire apparatus then on FDNY ambulances. That said firefighters are only trained to the CFR level through the department and operate accordingly, anything else would be acting outside their scope of practice.
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Are they trying to change that with the requirement to maintain your EMT-P?
 
I’m shocked that no one has brought up a strong long term approach to FDNY recruitment and retainment. Yes some of the recent measures and tasks identified in the 2025 SP will help. But instead of taking the cheapest way out, eg ladder companies as CFR. Paramedics on Engines etc, how about addressing the most impactful root of the problem and the most impactful on patient outcomes. Salaries on Par with PD and FD and Sanitation as well as more EMS units on the street.
 
Darrell said:
Am I reading this wrong or FF's can't be certified above a EMT-B?
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I dont know what youre reading, but the job cant tell you what training or certs you are allowed to have off the job. While riding a fire engine anyone trained above cfr is only allowed to practice up to the scope of cfr level.
 
I don't know all the logistics behind it, but if I have heard correctly the reasoning is if the engine arrives at a medical the emt or medic can obtain a refusal if medical treatment is not needed thus freeing up an ambulance for a more emergent call.
 
paul612 said:
I don't know all the logistics behind it, but if I have heard correctly the reasoning is if the engine arrives at a medical the emt or medic can obtain a refusal if medical treatment is not needed thus freeing up an ambulance for a more emergent call.
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Well, "allegedly" engines already just say the patient "got up and walked away" if they refused medical attention.
 
paul612 said:
I don't know all the logistics behind it, but if I have heard correctly the reasoning is if the engine arrives at a medical the emt or medic can obtain a refusal if medical treatment is not needed thus freeing up an ambulance for a more emergent call.
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It requires a good amount of continuing education to maintain a paramedic certification. I assume FDNY will pay for members to attend this training if they are mandating people to keep their cert. I can't imagine FDNY would pay for all of this training just so members can obtain RMA's.
 
Wait and see if the job doesn't make the individual pay for his/her refreshers to maintain their certs. The City will say it's a condition of employment. I hope I'm wrong but.......
 
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