Emergency medical services (EMS) workers in New York City are facing significant challenges due to low wages, which union leaders attribute to an exodus of staff. Oren Barzilay, the recently retired president of FDNY EMS Local 2507, stated that after 31 years, he was earning $59,000.
An FDNY EMT's starting salary is $39,386 per year, which is barely above New York City's minimum wage. After five years, an EMT can earn approximately $59,534, while a firefighter with similar experience can make up to $105,146.
This pay disparity coincides with an increase in ambulance response times. The average time for an ambulance to reach New Yorkers facing life-threatening emergencies rose from 11 minutes and 21 seconds in fiscal year 2025 to 13 minutes and 9 seconds in fiscal year 2026. This delay comes as the city's EMS system struggles with staff retention, with the number of active EMS responders statewide decreasing by 17.5% between 2019 and 2022.
Contract negotiations are reportedly underway between the Mamdani administration and the EMS union. Kenneth Londono, communications director for the mayor’s office of labor relations, stated the administration is committed to good-faith bargaining to achieve a fair and sustainable outcome.