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New York City Council
Executive Budget Hearings - Public Safety
Read summaries and jump into the video at the segment start.
Council staff welcomes attendees to the NYC Council Committee on Finance hearing with Public Safety and Fire and Emergency committees, and reminds attendees to silence phones.
Councilmember Linda Lee opens the fifth day of FY27 Executive Budget Hearings, introducing the NYPD portion and welcoming Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Speaker Julie Menin, and Chair Oswald Feliz.
Speaker Menin outlines NYPD's $6.6B planned budget, notes declines in murders and shootings but troubling increases in felony assaults and reported rapes, and raises questions about the Office of Community Safety, summer surge staffing, and recruitment.
Chair Lee details NYPD's proposed FY27 budget of $6.59B, a decrease of $110.9M from the preliminary plan, and calls for greater transparency through additional units of appropriation and use of asset forfeiture dollars.
Chair Feliz highlights key budget issues including headcount, overtime, subway funding, school safety, drone technology, and fan safety for upcoming World Cup and NBA Finals, while praising officers' recent heroism.
Chair Lee thanks Council Finance Division staff, reminds attendees that public testimony for all agencies is scheduled for Wednesday June 10th at 9:30 AM, and turns to committee counsel for witness swearing-in.
Committee counsel swears in Commissioner Tisch, First Deputy Commissioner Kinsella, Deputy Commissioners Gerber, Ryan, Crone, and Chief LaPetrie before testimony begins.
Commissioner Tisch introduces her leadership team and begins testimony on the FY27 executive budget, stating the NYPD is delivering results with crime down across the city.
Tisch presents detailed crime data: shootings, homicides at record lows, major crime down 6% citywide, murders down 25%, robberies down 11%, burglaries down 19%, and nearly 2,000 guns removed from streets.
Tisch reports retail theft down 19%+ citywide with borough-by-borough breakdowns, and public housing experiencing its safest start to the year on record with major crime down 10%.
Tisch reports transit crime slightly below last year's levels, unprovoked misdemeanor assaults down 26%, school crime complaints down 15%, and parks major crime down 20%.
Tisch reports hate crimes down 5.4% with arrests up 8%, and highlights the Bronx as leading the city in crime reductions with major crime down 11% and gun arrests up 23%.
Tisch reports NYPD outpaced attrition in 2025 with 4,115 hires vs 3,357 separations, and is continuing to outpace attrition in 2026 with 1,084 hires vs 896 separations.
Tisch reports patrol strength up 5.9% compared to last year, 911 answering delays down 84%, and overtime spending decreased 12.4% in calendar year 2025 and 10% in FY26.
Tisch recaps topics from her March testimony including hate crimes, new units, hiring, Bronx split, training, immigration enforcement, and federal funding, noting she won't rehash each but is prepared to answer questions.
Tisch addresses the Brooklyn narcotics team incident, stating officers were immediately stripped of guns and shields, and announces a sweeping 90-day review of narcotics operations including policies, procedures, equipment, and supervisory oversight.
Tisch discusses the extraordinary operational demands facing NYPD this summer, noting the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the heightened global threat environment with multiple vectors active simultaneously.
Tisch details a disrupted alleged terror plot targeting a Manhattan synagogue, involving a Kataib Hezbollah commander connected to approximately 18 attacks across Europe and Canada, prevented through FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and NYPD work.
Tisch describes a March incident where two men brought improvised explosive devices to a protest on the Upper East Side, and NYPD officers ran toward the threat and arrested them at the scene.
Tisch discusses how global conflicts involving Iran and the aftermath of October 7th have elevated tensions, with rhetoric from state actors and proxy groups potentially driving lone actor violence in New York City.
Tisch outlines the unprecedented series of overlapping events this summer: World Cup, Sail 250, NBA Finals, and the 250th anniversary of the country, requiring thousands of officers deployed daily with 12-hour tours from July 1-7.
Tisch presents the FY27 expense budget of $6.59B, with 91% allocated for personnel costs and 9% for non-personnel including technology. She notes $38M added for enhanced in-service training and $2.8M for TASER 10 upgrades.
Tisch announces the 10-year capital budget of $1.86B includes, for the first time, funding for police emergency response vehicles through a state law change allowing capitalization, spreading costs over five years.
Tisch details the NYPD savings plan: $65M in FY26, $184M in FY27, and $80M annually in baseline, achieved through overtime reductions, accruals, vehicle capitalization, IT license capitalization, and telecom savings.
Tisch explains civilian vacancy reductions of 517 positions including 67 police communication technicians, 264 school safety agents, and 186 non-safety civilian vacancies, resulting from OMB vacancy reduction targets.
Tisch reports federal Homeland Security grant funding cut by 40%, with NYPD anticipated to receive only $53M. She also notes the department did not receive FY25 port security funds and had to forego 15 additional federal grants due to certification language conflicts.
Tisch closes by stating the NYPD is delivering results with crime down, violence falling, and the department building capacity to sustain progress, while emphasizing the budget must reflect the full weight of what the department is being asked to do.
Speaker Menin asks about the connection between staffing levels and crime reduction progress, noting NYPD's uniform headcount is 1.5% below budgeted levels.
Tisch explains the department received 580 new police officer positions bringing budgeted headcount to 35,555, and details how increased officer deployment in high-shooting neighborhoods has directly driven down shooting incidents.
Chair Feliz raises concerns about felony assaults hitting a 25-year high and asks about progress from the new domestic violence unit created in October.
Tisch explains felony assault increases are driven by domestic violence (up 50%), assaults on police officers (up 100%), and assaults on public employees (up 200%), and details the DV unit reorganization including a dedicated DV warrants squad.
Feliz notes hate crimes jumped from 128 in Q1 2025 to 148 in Q1 2026 and asks what accounts for the increase.
Tisch provides updated hate crime data through April 30 showing all hate crimes down 5.4%, anti-Semitic hate crimes down 8.4%, with arrests up 7.9% overall and 10.3% for anti-Semitic crimes.
Feliz asks which metric Tisch uses for reporting anti-Semitic hate crimes. Tisch confirms NYPD uses confirmed hate crimes for reporting increases and decreases.
Feliz asks whether any programs have shifted from NYPD to the new Office of Community Safety. Tisch responds no programs have shifted and no conversations have commenced with NYPD about OCS.
Feliz presses on what OCS's purview will be. Tisch explains OCS consolidates existing offices from other agencies, and NYPD's work with those offices continues, but no strategic conversations about shifting NYPD responsibilities have occurred.
Feliz asks about mental health calls and OCS. Tisch explains the city's Be Heard program, where mental health professionals and EMTs respond to nonviolent EDP 911 calls, has existed for at least five years and continues unchanged.
Feliz raises overtime concerns: FY25 uniform overtime budgeted at $477.5M but actual spending was $959.7M, and FY26 projected at $955M against a budget of $511.6M, asking for year-to-date spending comparisons.
Tisch argues NYPD overtime has never been realistically budgeted, notes the administration took steps to correct this, and presents data showing overtime down 12.4% in CY2025 and 10% in FY26 first three quarters, with FY26 projected 6% below the 10-year historical average in today's dollars.
Feliz asks how hiring to full headcount would offset overtime costs. Tisch uses the summer 12-hour tours as an example of where increased headcount could reduce overtime needs.
Chair Lee asks for clarification on whether the 35,555 officer headcount is for FY27 or FY28. Tisch confirms it's in the FY28 budget but expects to achieve it by end of calendar year 2026.
Lee asks about state subway funding for NYPD transit deployments. Tisch and Deputy Commissioner Ryan explain the state provides $154M total, covering 5,000 hours of daily transit overtime.
Lee asks how the department utilizes state, city, and federal funding to offset city funding for overtime. Ryan explains funding cannot supplant but is coordinated with deployment plans.
Lee asks for an update on federal funding losses. Tisch states no areas have been affected yet but warns of an existential threat two years out, and Ryan details the 40% Homeland Security grant cut and $6.5M port security grant loss.
Tisch emphasizes the Homeland Security Grant Program, slashed to $53M, funds intelligence analysts, counterterrorism deployments, heavy weapons teams, and the domain awareness system, calling the cuts a direct threat to NYC's counterterrorism capabilities.
Lee asks about contingency plans if federal funding isn't restored. Tisch states either the federal government pays or the city will have to pick up the tab, calling cuts to intelligence and counterterrorism capabilities non-starters.
Lee asks how executive plan savings of $9.3M in FY26 work with overtime additions. Ryan explains the savings include $19M in uniform overtime savings plus PS accruals, vehicle capitalization, and civilian headcount reductions.
Lee asks about vehicle capitalization savings of $103.7M across FY27-FY30. Tisch expresses enthusiasm, explaining the change in state law allows police emergency response vehicles to be capitalized over five years, protecting fleet purchases from expense budget cuts.
Lee asks how capitalization changes the procurement process. Ryan confirms the process remains unchanged, just requiring certificate to proceed with OMB, and they've already commenced the process for next year.
Lee asks about IT license capitalization changes. Ryan explains certain licenses were re-evaluated and determined to be capital eligible, resulting in expense savings.
Lee asks if other cost areas could be similarly capitalized. Ryan says they continually look for opportunities, noting inflation sometimes pushes items above minimum dollar thresholds.
Lee asks about using technology, IT, and AI to improve timesheet systems and lower overtime. Tisch notes ongoing IT modernization including a new 311 system and digitized command logs, and commits to looking at administrative system updates.
Lee asks about uniform and civilian PS accruals savings of $110.8M in FY27 and whether hiring will be delayed. Tisch and Ryan explain the accruals reflect salary mix adjustments, not hiring delays, with plans to hire nearly 4,000 officers this year.
Lee asks about coordination with the Office to End Gender-Based Violence now under OCS. Tisch confirms she recently met with the NGBV commissioner and all work continues seamlessly.
Lee asks about language access for domestic violence reporting in immigrant communities. NYPD staff explain they have language line services, crime victim advocates in precincts, and coordinate with Family Justice Centers for culturally specific organizations.
Lee asks about Be Heard program coordination and 988 mental health hotline numbers. Tisch reports 204 911 calls qualified for 988 referral in the first 16 days, and provides Be Heard data showing 17,961 calls requested but only 1,411 responded to in the first four months of 2026.
Lee asks whether Be Heard and 988 have led to more successful diversions. Tisch states NYPD doesn't see outcomes of those calls and notes diversion numbers are tiny compared to overall volume, with significant room for improvement.
Feliz asks about the 12-hour officer shifts planned for July 1-7 during the World Cup. Tisch explains officers will work five days with four hours added to beginning or end of tours, with training canceled and no planned RDO cancellations.
Feliz asks what percentage of officers the 12-hour shifts will apply to. Tisch says it applies to the majority from police officer to chief, and the chief of department will issue bureau-specific guidance.
Feliz asks about projected overtime for the World Cup week. Tisch and Ryan project $35-42M for July 1-7, approximately $73M total for all overlapping events, with $12.4M for equipment and $6.5M for drones, totaling $92M against $71M currently budgeted.
Feliz asks about fan safety plans for transit hubs and watch parties. Tisch describes extensive planning for watch parties, transit security, and the need to view all FIFA events through a counterterrorism lens.
Feliz asks how NYPD will coordinate with federal and state authorities for event safety. Chief LaPetrie details bus screening operations in New Jersey, Penn Station rail screening for 15,000 people, and coordination with Amtrak and MTA.
Feliz asks whether public watch parties will be scaled back due to NYPD concerns. Tisch says the mayor will announce robust watch parties across all five boroughs, but notes the department must view FIFA events through a counterterrorism lens while managing standard summer events simultaneously.
Feliz asks what factors NYPD considers when reviewing watch party permits. Tisch explains they assess whether events can be secured with blocker cars, available resources, and concurrent events, reviewing each application based on specific details.
Feliz asks for overtime totals by fiscal year since 2020. Ryan provides: FY20 $1B, FY22 $918M, FY23 $1.047B, FY24 $1.155B, FY25 $1.12B, with FY26 projected at $1.013B. Tisch notes FY26 is 6% below the 10-year historical average when adjusted for contract dollars and excluding transit overtime.
Feliz asks why overtime remains near $1B despite 4,000 new hires. Tisch explains the hires offset attrition from 20 years ago, the department ended up only several hundred officers above prior years, and overtime is driven by special events, protests, and targeted crime responses.
Feliz asks whether increasing headcount could decrease overtime. Tisch says it would help for special events like this summer but wouldn't make a dent in other overtime categories, and notes the mayor added 580 additional officers in his first month.
Lee asks for the breakdown of patrol officers versus community affairs and other units. Tisch reports patrol staffing at 15,749 as of April 30, up 888 officers from last year, with the Bronx up 250 officers.
Lee asks about the top three things leading to overtime. Ryan identifies events and investigations as the two largest categories, with arrests, operational needs, crime reduction, and transit safety also contributing.
Lee asks about officer deployment numbers for large protests versus smaller events. Tisch and LaPetrie explain it varies greatly, citing 3,000+ officers assigned to a recent parade, with deployment based on security risks and expected participation.
Lee asks what percentage of overtime is worked during shifts versus regular days off. Tisch says they don't have that data available but will provide it.
Deputy Speaker Williams asks about discrepancies in hate crime data between Tisch's testimony and other reports showing an 11.8% jump. Tisch explains the reports referenced Q1 data while her numbers include April, and small numbers can shift percentages significantly.
Williams asks about NYPD's racial equity plan goal to enhance hiring by removing barriers, and what funding supports this work. Staff explain a hiring panel of experts is convening over 100 days, with no specific funding allocated for the study.
Williams asks which units have the lowest diversity levels for the goal of increasing representation in leadership by 2028. Tisch says they will get back with diversity by unit data.
Williams raises concerns about truck parking in residential neighborhoods and asks about the Transportation Bureau budget. Tisch proposes assigning tow trucks directly to precincts with heavy towing needs, and Ryan reports the Transportation Bureau budget at $212M.
Williams advocates for increased Community Affairs Division funding, noting officers raise their own money for community events. Tisch reports she reassigned community affairs officers back to their precincts in January, restoring the function under patrol command.
Councilmember Caban asks for FY26-to-date spending on the Quality of Life Division, broken down by Q teams and Q stat, plus FY27 projections. Ryan says she'll need to get back with the breakdown.
Caban asks whether NYPD tracks complaints and civil suits based on Quality of Life Division enforcement. Staff say they can pull the data but don't track it day-to-day by division. Caban requests the data be provided to the Council.
Caban asks what evidence NYPD has that increased arrests for low-level offenses improve public safety. Tisch states the Quality of Life Division was not created to increase low-level arrests but to address the explosion of 311 complaints, and rejects broken windows policing.
Caban asks for the total annual cost to taxpayers of processing low-level arrests compared to summonses or diversion programs. Tisch says they can provide Criminal Justice Bureau budget data, and explains most arrests for summonsable offenses occur when the person is unidentifiable or has an open warrant.
Wong asks about the legality of operating dirt bikes and ATVs on public streets and in parks. Chief LaPetrie confirms unregistered dirt bikes cannot be operated on NYC streets.
Councilmember Ariola asks for crime data broken down by council district. Tisch calls it a good idea and says they can try to provide it, noting it would be high enough level to not reveal precinct-specific deployment.
Ariola asks how NYPD will navigate conflicts between federal grant requirements and sanctuary city laws. Tisch explains the smaller grants conflict with sanctuary law, but the larger Homeland Security grant cut is about allocation levels, not sanctuary city conflicts.
Councilmember Joseph asks about youth arrests for major felonies and collaboration with other agencies. Staff report school arrests are down 4.8% this year, and describe monthly meetings with DOE partners and quarterly advocate meetings.
Joseph asks about crisis intervention team training numbers. Staff report approximately 3,384 personnel trained in de-escalation and restorative justice. Joseph also raises concerns about broken metal detectors causing student delays, and Tisch announces 40 new scanners have been ordered.
Joseph asks about 988 calls from young people in schools. Tisch says NYPD doesn't collect demographic data on 988 transfers and suggests asking 988 operators. Joseph also requests mental health 911 call numbers by council district.
Chair Lee announces a brief five-minute recess at 12:10 PM, with the hearing to resume at 12:15 PM.
Chair Feliz resumes the hearing, announcing Councilmember Hanks will begin followed by Councilmember Brooks-Powers.
Councilmember Hanks asks about the Office of Community Safety and whether NYPD has identified programs or gaps for partnership. Tisch says no programs are shifting and highlights the mental health crisis as an area for potential OCS collaboration.
Hanks asks why Staten Island Borough Patrol budget dropped $7.9M from FY26. Tisch explains the decrease reflects the reorganization moving evidence collection and DV units from patrol to detective bureau, not actual resource reductions.
Councilmember Brooks-Powers thanks NYPD for recovery efforts for a drowning victim, raises concerns about gun violence surge in Southeast Queens, and asks about social media monitoring for teen takeovers. She also asks about NYPD coordination with DOC on Rikers population.
Brooks-Powers asks about truck route enforcement training for officers. Tisch commits to providing specific refresher training for precincts with truck enforcement issues. Brooks-Powers also asks about social media-driven takeovers, with LaPetrie detailing field intelligence officer monitoring.
Councilmember Felder asks about community policing contacts, past programs using Orthodox Jewish officers, traffic cameras, and bicycle licensing. He requests written responses due to a dental appointment. Tisch offers to answer immediately but Felder insists on written responses.
Councilmember Brewer asks about retail theft trends and prevention efforts. Tisch reports retail theft down 19% citywide, with clearance rates up from 41% to 51%, crediting aggregate theft law changes and recidivism-focused enforcement.
Brewer asks about NYPD warehouse consolidation and costs. Ryan says they're actively working with DCAS to consolidate warehouses including the cannabis warehouse, and will provide an update on consolidation efforts.
Brewer asks about the lack of a tow pound in Manhattan since Cuomo closed Pier 76. Ryan says real estate costs remain challenging but they continue looking with DCAS. Brewer also asks about NYCHA PSA funding, with Tisch reporting record crime reductions in NYCHA.
Councilmember Restler expresses concern about NYPD's response to incarceration questions, noting Brooklyn Jail will open in three years with half the capacity needed. He also raises deeply troubling Be Heard data showing only 0.01% of 911 calls being responded to.
Councilmember Banks raises concerns about the Penn Track prostitution issue in his district. Chief LaPetrie details vice enforcement operations and says it's the number one location for enforcement. Banks also asks about splitting the 75th precinct, with Ryan noting a new precinct costs $108M.
Chair Lee asks about the front-loaded capital plan with $432.9M in FY26 dropping to $16.4M in FY29. Ryan explains the front-loading is driven by vehicle capitalization and the Rodman's Neck project, with projects shifting as construction progresses.
Lee asks about asset forfeiture funding usage. Ryan reports a $52M balance with $38M already accounted for, leaving $14M available, used for supplies, equipment, critical training, and investigation-related initiatives.
Lee asks about the racial equity plan goal to track racial disparities in stops and the How Many Stops Act data. Tisch reports Level 3 stops dropped from 680,000 in 2011 to 26,405 in 2025, with staff detailing the Racial Disparities Review Committee working with the monitor.
Feliz asks again whether increasing headcount could decrease overtime. Tisch says it would help for special events but not all categories, and notes she's already made a dent with 10% overtime reductions. Feliz asks for the top three things needed to make a bigger dent.
Feliz asks for current budgeted headcount for school safety agents and crossing guards. Tisch reports SSAs cut by 264 positions to 3,651, and crossing guards at 2,290 employed against 2,309 budgeted. Tisch expresses disappointment about the SSA cut but notes positions were vacant.
Feliz asks about ghost car enforcement and interagency roles. Chief Obey details 19 joint operations year-to-date resulting in 291 arrests, 12,000+ summonses, and 1,278 vehicles seized, working with state police, MTA, and PAPD along bridges and tunnels.
Lee asks about NYPD drone usage. Tisch says she wants to expand drones to every precinct and believes NYPD should control its own drone program rather than DoITT. LaPetrie reports 5,000 flights this year with 2.5-minute response times, operating from five locations.
Lee asks about the $6.5M drone mitigation grant and new authority to take down drones. Tisch reports the equipment has been purchased, counterterrorism personnel trained with the FBI, and NYPD will deploy drone mitigation for the first time at the World Cup.
Lee asks about the TASER 10 upgrade timeline. Tisch reports ESU has been fully trained and all other officers should complete training by end of 2027.
Lee asks about a woman who gave birth while in NYPD custody. Staff clarify she was arrested for trespass with an open warrant, was uncuffed before giving birth, and was taken to the hospital per policy. Tisch declines to discuss specifics in open session.
Lee asks about factors for determining new precinct construction. Tisch lists geographical size, response times, 911/311 calls, and crime conditions. Lee also asks about the top three factors driving crime reduction, with Tisch citing precision policing, technology, and officer work.
Lee asks about enforcement of unsafe mobility devices like e-bikes and scooters. Tisch says it's a problem, criminal summonses are still issued for reckless driving, but the department has shifted from C summonses to B summonses for lesser violations based on City Hall conversations.
Caban corrects the record on the birth-in-custody incident, noting cuffs were removed only when the baby was crowning, and on the Rikers population, noting 397 people are held on misdemeanors and 7 on violations, not all felonies.
Caban asks what percentage of arrests in the open warrant category involve felony warrants versus other summonses. Staff explain they have a legal obligation to return people on open warrants. Caban cites CPL 150-20 stating DATs are discretionary for open warrants.
Wong asks about auxiliary police officer bullet-resistant vest funding. Ryan reports the request was included in executive budget new needs but was not funded, and they will continue making the request.
Wong commends NYPD security at the Israel Day Parade and asks whether the deployment model should be used more frequently at large protests. Tisch says protest response is governed by a settlement agreement but each event is assessed individually.
Councilmember Joseph asks about Youth Coordination Officers (YCO), with LaPetrie reporting 177 YCOs. Joseph asks about pending investigations against YCOs and arrest/summons data, with Tisch committing to provide the data.
Brewer asks about coordination between youth officers and DOE regarding student smoking around schools. LaPetrie details a revamped juvenile crime strategies desk and an all-day stakeholder meeting with DOE, ACS, prosecutors, and probation.
Restler raises concerns about 911 response times, noting end-to-end times increased from 6:44 pre-pandemic to 9:10 now for critical crimes. Tisch says hiring up to headcount will help, with new officers moving to precincts starting in June. LaPetrie attributes increases to 25% higher crime volume requiring longer report times.
Restler raises concerns about two officers stationed outside a retail store all day for CompStat purposes. Staff acknowledge officers should not be stationary in front of a store and should be on foot posts, and state the message from leadership is not to run commands for CompStat.
Chair Lee and Chair Feliz conclude the NYPD portion of the hearing, noting they are past the commissioner's hard stop time and will follow up with remaining questions in writing.
Chair Lee opens the second FY27 Executive Budget Hearing of the day for the Fire Department of New York, joined by Chair Joann Ariola of the Committee on Fire and Emergency Management, and welcomes Commissioner Bonsignore and her team.
Chair Ariola delivers opening remarks focusing on EMS pay increases, the fifth firefighter initiative, and critical infrastructure improvements, noting deferred maintenance is a moral and public safety issue. She demands clear answers and timelines from the administration.
Committee counsel swears in Commissioner Bonsignore, First Deputy Commissioner Flynn, Chief Esposito, Chief Miano, Deputy Commissioner Kristoff, Chief Woods, Chief Corral, and Assistant Commissioners DeRacus and Nunan.
Commissioner Bonsignore introduces her leadership team and highlights upcoming FDNY Medal Day, beginning with the story of Firefighter John Palmer from Ladder 144 who rescued a 65-year-old man from a burning building in College Point.
Bonsignore shares the story of EMS Deputy Chief Joseph Nocerino, who diverted from his commute to investigate a house fire in Coney Island, entered the burning building to alert occupants, and coordinated an 18-unit EMS response.
Bonsignore reports the executive budget provides civilian headcount restoration of 84 positions ($9M in FY27), 14 new fire inspectors, Be Heard program restoration, and capital funding for roofs, vehicles, and facility renovations.
Bonsignore announces the executive budget reverses the previous administration's transfer of Be Heard funding, restoring nearly $2M in FY26 growing to $6.7M in FY29, with headcount expanding from 44 to 84 positions.
Bonsignore reports capital funding including $24.3M for six roof and waterproofing projects, $6.75M for 15 emergency response vehicles, and accelerations of out-year capital for vehicle replacements, fleet maintenance, and station renovations.
Bonsignore outlines three savings initiatives: EMS treatment-in-place revenue ($10.1M), ambulance fee increases ($24.6M), and telecom contract renegotiation ($2.2M), achieving savings without harming operations.
Bonsignore closes by thanking Chair Ariola, noting she's met with many committee members in their districts, and expressing confidence in achieving gains through partnership, particularly given recent fatal fire trends in the Bronx.
Chair Lee asks what prompted the Be Heard transfer back to FDNY and whether there were performance or management issues. Bonsignore says the previous administration planned to transfer it to H+H, and she was able to bring it back to FDNY.
Kristoff explains Be Heard budget numbers, noting the EMS mental health differential stayed in FDNY's budget during the transfer, and the current FY26 cost is about $4M for the FDNY piece, with social workers funded through H+H separately.
Lee asks about service gaps during the Be Heard transition. Bonsignore says there were no disruptions, and Miano confirms they rehired members who had been sent to other positions back into Be Heard.
Lee asks about Be Heard staffing from 44 to 84 positions. Miano explains it's an application process with passionate volunteers, and they don't anticipate filling issues. He reports 62 FDNY EMS members currently assigned: 28 sergeants/lieutenants and 34 EMTs.
Lee asks about Be Heard ambulances in FY32 capital plan and geographic coverage. Miano says current vehicles are fairly new, and the program currently covers four boroughs (not Staten Island). Kristoff notes conversations about expansion are ongoing.
Lee asks for 911 mental health call numbers. Miano reports FY25: 9,638 Be Heard responses, 8,201 arrivals, 1,670 treated without transport. FY26 YTD: 7,297 responses, 6,233 arrivals, 1,400 treated without transport.
Lee asks how FDNY defines EMS pay parity and what benchmark is used. Bonsignore says parity is understood as comparison to firefighters, but the details are between OLR, OMB, and unions. She advocates for EMS as a sustainable profession.
Lee asks how NYC EMS compensation compares to other cities. Bonsignore says the entire country is experiencing EMS recruitment and retention problems, and NYC is no longer immune, having previously been able to attract enough candidates.
Lee asks for the total cost of full pay parity and whether any portion is in the executive budget. Bonsignore defers to OMB and OLR, saying she doesn't have a number. Lee asks about a timeline, and Bonsignore says union negotiations with OLR should be starting.
Chair Ariola asks about increasing EMS headcount on ambulances to three people. Bonsignore says this is the first she's heard of it. Ariola also asks about ambulance fee increases being tied to EMS pay raises, with Kristoff explaining the 16.1% civilian pattern increase is reflected in rates.
Ariola questions whether EMS transport is a net revenue generator, noting FY26 revenue of $254.5M against $400.8M in costs. Kristoff explains EMS is a net cost, with revenue historically covering about a third of all-in costs, and clarifies the $92M adjustment is actually a revenue decrease replaced by city funds.
Ariola asks about ambulance fleet size and out-of-service rates. Kristoff reports about 600 ambulances with 30% out of service at any time, average age two years, with replacements targeted at 5-6 years. Ariola asks if more ambulances would increase revenue; Kristoff says call volume would limit the impact.
Ariola asks about EMS headcount. Kristoff reports budgeted headcount of 4,540 with actual at 4,250, a shortfall of 290, with another 500+ expected to leave for firefighter promotions. Ariola asks about federal/state rate changes; Kristoff confirms treatment-in-place was approved in February and ambulance rate increases go through city rulemaking.
Ariola asks about unpaid transports and billing improvement. Kristoff reports 18% of transports are self-pay, with charity care and settlement programs available. She explains documentation by EMS crews is the most critical factor for billing success, and Medicaid/Medicare rates remain well below costs.
Deputy Speaker Williams asks about FDNY's racial equity plan, specifically the Deloitte study on recruitment strategies. Noonan details the study reviewing the recent firefighter campaign, attrition mitigation programs, and PRB processes, with approximately $7M in the FY26 recruitment budget.
Williams asks about disparities in hiring, promotion, and retention. Noonan explains they focused on reachable test takers for the firefighter exam, with preliminary findings showing outcomes exceeding blueprint goals. Williams also asks about the home division rule and gender-related facility needs.
Williams asks whether FDNY has identified racial disparities in EMS response times by neighborhood. Miano says they monitor call volume across the city and redeploy units to high-demand areas, but doesn't directly answer whether disparities have been identified.
Councilmember Brewer asks about fire prevention funding increases. Chief Esposito reports significant fire increases in the Bronx and Queens, with electrical systems as the predominant cause, and details education outreach including smoke detector distribution and door-closing messaging.
Brewer asks about hydrant blocking enforcement. Esposito says they work with NYPD for enforcement and will issue criminal court summonses and tow vehicles that impede fire operations, resulting in thousands of dollars in fines.
Brewer asks about ambulance billing for uninsured patients and response times. Kristoff explains the charity care program, and Bonsignore addresses response times, attributing increases to higher demand, staffing challenges, and hospital closures requiring longer transport distances.
Brewer raises concerns about siren noise, particularly rumblers versus loud sirens, noting she lives between two hospitals. Bonsignore expresses willingness to discuss siren options, acknowledging it's a quality of life issue for residents near hospitals.
Councilmember Banks asks about fire and EMS coverage gaps in the southern portion of his district. Bonsignore explains EMS stations are fewer but ambulances are deployed citywide, while firehouses are more evenly distributed with over 200 locations.
Banks asks about NYCHA elevator outages affecting emergency response. Esposito details an elevator task force and pilot program with NYCHA's elevator team, but acknowledges outages can create barriers and delays for emergency responses in NYCHA buildings.
Chair Ariola asks about fifth firefighter data on fire suppression outcomes. Esposito says they don't have specific data differentiating four versus five firefighter engine operations, but acknowledges five firefighters enable faster hose line stretches and quicker extinguishment.
Ariola asks about response times by borough. Esposito reports: Manhattan 4:39, Bronx 4:58, Brooklyn 4:10, Queens 5:02, Staten Island 5:05. Ariola presses on whether the fifth firefighter should be concentrated in high-need areas like the Bronx.
Ariola asks about fire incidence by borough and current fifth firefighter locations. Esposito reports 20 engine companies currently have five firefighters, distributed citywide based on building stock requiring longer hose stretches, with four in the Bronx.
Ariola asks whether FDNY would support a Bronx pilot with fifth firefighters in 20 busiest firehouses. Esposito says they would welcome additional resources. Ariola asks about coverage gaps when companies are committed to active calls, with Esposito explaining dispatchers manage resource relocations.
Councilmember Wong asks about the headcount gap, with Kristoff reporting 706 total positions under budget: 316 uniform, 290 EMS, 100 civilian. Wong also asks about the 30% ambulance out-of-service rate, with Miano explaining the 600-ambulance fleet supports 340 active units with spares.
Wong asks about lithium-ion battery fire funding. Kristoff says there's no separate funding pot, and Chief Correo details a comprehensive approach including Local Law 40 enforcement, post-fire investigation, and public education on UL-rated batteries and safe charging practices.
Councilmember Palladino expresses surprise at the laid-back approach to the fifth firefighter and asks about capital funding for vehicles she allocated. DeRacus confirms the generator project for Engine 290/25 is in design with construction starting FY27. Palladino also questions the overall FDNY budget of $4.6B against the city's $124.7B budget.
Councilmember Restler asks about the cost of a citywide fifth firefighter. Kristoff confirms the Council's estimate of $92M for 86 companies, roughly $173M citywide. Restler also asks about EMS pay parity costs, with Kristoff noting the average EMT salary is $57,494 versus $109,930 for firefighters.
Councilmember Sanchez asks about fifth firefighter locations in the Bronx, with Bonsignore confirming four Bronx engine companies have five firefighters. Sanchez asks for fire data at those stations and whether firefighters could be redistributed from lower-fire areas to the Bronx.
Councilmember Pierina Sanchez highlights the relentless fires in the Bronx, noting nearly 50 fatalities this year, and asks for updated fire data. She advocates a three-pronged approach: faster response, public education, and holding building owners accountable for failing systems.
Commissioner Tucker and staff detail collaboration with DOB and HPD on fire prevention, including joint PSAs with the mayor and DOB commissioner, smoke alarm distribution, and post-fire inspections that issue violations to building owners. Bonsignore reports 27 multiple-alarm fires in the Bronx as of May 13, up from 16 in 2025 and 12 in 2024.
Pierina Sanchez asks what information FDNY shares with HPD and DOB about electrical fire causes, and whether FDNY advocates for building preservation grants to address electrical systems. Staff confirm recent meetings with DOB commissioner and work on developing new technologies to detect electrical fire risks.
Councilmember Maloney asks about FDNY capacity to handle supertall buildings. Staff explain newer buildings have auxiliary fire protection systems and are generally more fire-safe than older buildings, though EMS response times to upper floors can be longer.
Councilmember Gennaro asks about EMS retention, with staff reporting 10.9% attrition last year and 14.3% annualized this year, with about 25% of EMS workforce shifting to fire during promotion cycles. Staff detail training costs: $41,000 per EMT, $130,000 per paramedic, and explain how pay parity would reduce costly turnover.
Maloney asks about supertall building safety in round two. Staff reiterate that newer supertall buildings are more fire-safe than older buildings due to auxiliary fire protection systems, though response times to upper floors can be longer.
Councilmember Won asks about EMT-to-firefighter versus EMT-to-paramedic transitions and retention. Staff explain 506 EMS members left for firefighter promotions over three classes, with about 70 paramedic graduates per class. Won presses on fixing the retention rate within the 30-day budget process, with staff noting the 30-year unresolved pay parity issue.
Restler asks again for the citywide fifth firefighter cost. Kristoff confirms approximately $173M citywide based on Council estimates. Restler asks if given $180M, would EMS pay parity or fifth firefighter be the priority. Bonsignore states EMS pay would be at the top of the list, and Restler agrees.
Ariola cites independent studies showing the fifth firefighter eliminates kinks, enables hose shuffle, puts water on fire faster, and reduces firefighter fatigue, with Esposito agreeing. Ariola then asks about facilities tracking systems, with staff confirming they use an EAM asset management program and Niedermann systems, all currently operable.
Ariola raises concerns about deferred maintenance and capital projects pushed to out-years. Kristoff reports $994M for facilities across FY26-35, with $553M in the first five years, noting capital funding has nearly doubled over five years. Ariola presses on why firehouses remain in disrepair despite funding.
Ariola questions why capital projects rely on council member allocations rather than administration funding, noting many firehouses were built between 1895-1929. Kristoff notes several roofs were funded by council members and explains the six funded priority projects, with DeRacus detailing completed and ongoing roof projects.
Councilmember Hudson asks what percentage of total capital needs the current funding represents. Kristoff estimates 25-30%, noting the department has over 400 buildings with an average age approaching 100 years, and capital needs are a rotating challenge as buildings age.
Hudson asks about cold weather EMS call volume increases and dedicated budget allocations. Staff confirm significant call volume increases during extreme weather but no specific budget adjustments. Hudson also asks about firefighter applicant demographics, with Noonan reporting the most recent exam passers as 22% Black, 28% Hispanic, 40% white, 6% Asian, and 7% women.
Ariola notes the fire department's own priority list from 2025 doesn't match the projects being addressed, and questions why. Staff explain funded projects move off the unfunded priority list. Ariola then begins presenting facility photos.
Ariola presents a chart of fire apparatus restricted from relocation due to union contract provisions about apparatus age. Esposito explains the Seagrave manufacturing backlog, with 51 outdated apparatus in the field, and Kristoff confirms all are funded and ordered but delayed by manufacturing.
Ariola presents photos of deteriorating conditions at multiple firehouses including Engine 59/Ladder 30 (water damage), Engine 262 (roof leak), Engine 4/Ladder 15 (crumbled wall), and Engine 229 (roof sinking). DeRacus confirms most repairs have been completed by trade staff or vendors.
Ariola presents photos of Ladder 78's unstable parapet wall with netting installed in 2023 but no repairs since, and Squad 288's buckling apparatus floor held up by floor jacks from 2001. DeRacus explains the parapet is stabilized and Squad 288 has window funding with apparatus floor funding in out-years being pursued for acceleration.
Ariola presents photos of Engine 290/Ladder 103's rest area with a gaping hole in the wall exposing brick and pipes, and a video showing water pouring from a ceiling pipe directly onto an oil burner. DeRacus says trade staff responded to address the leak, and the building needs complete roof restoration.
Ariola shows a video of water pouring from a pipe onto an oil burner at Engine 290 and asks why it's unrepaired. DeRacus says work orders are called in immediately and trade staff respond, but with 300 work orders per week he can't confirm this specific one. Ariola expresses frustration that facilities staff didn't bring a computer as requested.
Ariola delivers closing remarks criticizing the administration for allowing firehouses to deteriorate, noting 100-year-old buildings haven't had investment unless council members provided it, and calling conditions unacceptable. She states the committee will check on all presented facilities and raise the issue at the OMB hearing.
Chair Lee thanks FDNY for extending their time, acknowledges Chair Ariola's passion, and expresses understanding of the difficult capital process while committing to partnership. She closes the hearing for the day.