The decision by New York Community Hospital to pull its ambulances from responding to any of the city’s 911 emergencies has prompted the de Blasio administration to fund additional FDNY EMT ambulances to pick up the slack, according to a report from the Independent Budget Office.
A spokesman for the FDNY said the purchase of new rolling stock would also mean additional personnel. “To staff New York Community Hospital’s three tours, we’re going to increase staffing (an additional 15 EMT’s) and purchase two ambulances,” said Deputy Commissioner Francis Gribbon. The hospital, located in southern Brooklyn near Marine Park, is privately-run. “The fact that another private ambulance company has gone out demonstrates how unreliable the private 911 ambulance providers are,” said Vincent Variale, president of DC 37 EMS Officers Local 3621.