New York City Fire Department Bureau of EMS


The New York City Fire Department Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, also known as the FDNY EMS Command, or FDNY EMS, was established on March 17, 1996, following the merger of the New York City Fire Department and New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation's EMS division. FDNY EMS covers all five boroughs of New York City with Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic staffed ambulances as well as various specialized response vehicles.

History

Prior to March 17, 1996, municipal ambulances were operated by NYC EMS under the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, a public benefit corporation, which dispatched both its own ambulances and hospital ambulances. On March 17, 1996, NYC EMS merged with the New York City Fire Department, forming the Bureau of EMS. Employees of the newly formed bureau were considered FDNY employees and became eligible for transfer to firefighter within the department. As a result of the merger, the FDNY Bureau of EMS became the largest fire department-based EMS system in the country.

Responsibilities

FDNY EMS controls the operation of all ambulances in the New York City 911 System. 70% of the ambulances in the 911 system are FDNY EMS municipal units while the remaining 30% of 911 system coverage is provided by hospital-based units known as Voluntary Hospital Ambulances, which are staffed by paid hospital personnel who work in partnership with FDNY EMS. Private ambulance services and Volunteer Ambulance Corps also make their resources available to supplement the 911 system. FDNY EMS maintains and controls Emergency Medical Dispatch, and telemetry. FDNY EMS is also responsible for managing emergency medical care for all mass casualty incidents in New York City.

Organization

Leadership

The FDNY Bureau of EMS is broken down into seven divisions. Each division has a Division Chief, up to 5 Deputy Chiefs, a Division Captain, a Major Emergency Response Vehicle except Brooklyn and Queens, METUs at Divisions 3, 4 and 5, MRTUs at Divisions 1, 2 and 3 and a Logistical Support Unit. Each division is then broken down further into stations which have Captains and Lieutenants, as well as ALS and BLS ambulances. Original NYC EMS Station numbers are in parentheses.

EMS Division 1 – Manhattan

EMS Division 2 – South Bronx

EMS Division 3 - Brooklyn Central

EMS Division 4 – Queens

EMS Division 7 – North Bronx

EMS Division 8 – Brooklyn North

*Until 2013, EMS Station 35 was one of two EMS stations on the grounds of Woodhull Med. & Mental Health Ctr. EMS Station 57 is also located on the grounds and was opened in 1999. EMS Station 35 was opened at the same time Woodhull opened in 1981 and was formerly NYC EMS Station 37 until shortly after the merger in 1996. On September 30, 2013, the new EMS Station 35 opened at 332 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn, New York.

EMS Special Operations, Haz Tac Battalion

Unit types

Livery

Immediately after the takeover of NYC EMS the FDNY changed the livery of the existing ambulances by changing the color of the striping on the vehicles to blue and red. The initials FDNY were placed on the vehicle with two letters on both sides of an existing Star of Life, with the word ambulance underneath. The driver's side and passenger side doors were also adorned with the new command patch. Subsequent vehicles were ordered in the traditional FDNY livery of white over red with a set of three stripes running down the side. All other markings were kept in place.

Vehicles

The FDNY Bureau of EMS utilizes Type I Ambulances, which are based on the chassis-cabs of super duty pickup-trucks. This type was chosen over the Type II ambulance that are based on a passenger/cargo van chassis and the Type III which are based on chassis-cabs of light duty vans due to the ability to fully customize the passenger compartment. Type I ambulances also offer a higher load-capacity and additional compartment space when compared to the two other types. These ambulances are also more resilient to the stresses placed on them in a high volume EMS system in an inner city environment.
In 2011, the FDNY began ordering ambulances from Wheeled Coach which are based on a Dodge Ram 4500 Crew Cab Chassis. The shift to a four-door ambulance was due to the tremendous call volume and harsh 24/7 cycle that the FDNY operates in. Furthermore, the additional cab space provided for crew comfort, additional storage, and the opportunity to have more than two people riding in the forward-facing configuration thus increasing safety if a third crew member is assigned. The department discontinued orders due to issues with the Dodge chassis.
In 2014, the FDNY began ordering a custom Ford F-450 Super Cab/Wheeled Coach Type I ambulance.
In 2016, the FDNY began ordering a new version of the F-450/Wheeled Coach ambulances which are labeled "FDNY Green". These use a technology to reduce harmful emissions caused by the necessary idling of ambulances.
In 2016, FDNY EMS ordered and received new International Terra-Star/Wheeled Coach Medium Duty Ambulances for use as "Rescue Medic" vehicles.
In 2017, FDNY EMS began using Ford F-550 Super Duty/Wheeled Coach Type I ambulances.