NYC 911 Response Times: A Growing Emergency

Response times for 911 calls in NYC are significantly increasing, raising serious concerns about the city's emergency services. Ambulance arrival times for life-threatening emergencies have jumped from an average of 5 minutes and 53 seconds three years ago to over 7 minutes and 23 seconds in 2024. The increase is even more dramatic for non-life-threatening calls.

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The Impact of Delays

These delays have real-world consequences. One family recounts a harrowing experience where a 911 call for a medical emergency was delayed by 31 minutes due to high call volume and limited units. While the patient was transported to the hospital, they later passed away.

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Contributing Factors

Several factors contribute to this alarming trend:

• Increased call volume: The FDNY responds to 100-150 calls per hour, but staffing hasn't kept pace.
• Low EMS worker pay: Starting salaries between $18 and $20 per hour make it difficult to retain employees.
• Hospital delays: EMS units spend an average of 40 minutes waiting at hospitals for patients to be admitted.
• Traffic congestion: Increased traffic and longer transport distances contribute to slower response times. The impact of congestion pricing on response times is currently being investigated.

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The City's Response

The FDNY acknowledges the problem and is implementing several initiatives to address the issue, including:

• Pilot programs to speed up response times
• A comprehensive review of the EMS process
• Increased access to telehealth
• Improved awareness about appropriate 911 usage

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The situation highlights a critical need for improved emergency response systems in NYC. The city is working to find solutions, but the challenges remain significant.