Ariola closes panel portion with push for EMS pay, status, and career ladder
Ariola says the hearing has produced productive discussion and that EMS workers need compensation, uniformed first responder status, civil service status, and promotional exams. She thanks the panel and dismisses them, saying the mayor inherited the problem but must now solve it.
Okay, so I think we've really discussed so many very productive things here today, and I think incentivizing is very good.
I think that until they are properly paid, making them feel as though they are valued,
and a topic of conversation, that they're not just forgotten, that they're not just out in the street.
They are the topic of the conversation here, in the press, in the administration, at the council office, at the speaker's office.
They are probably the most talked about.
Division within the FDNY right now are the EMTs.
And I think we need to, in addition to the
compensation, we need to give them uniformed first responder status.
We need to give them civil service status.
We need to recognize EMS civil service exams for an EMT or captain, deputy chief, division chief, whatever it is, let them know that they can
rise up in the ranks as you did and that there is a way.
I am completely dedicated to the FDMY, EMS, and any branch of service that are public servants and protect the lives of the people
in this city.
That is why chairing this committee is so important to me.
That is why we ask the questions over and over again.
I cannot tell you how appreciative I am for the answers that all of you, even H&H, you know, we know you belong to all of us, but
your preparedness, your heart for the job, what you want is what we want, and we all know at the end of the day what we need first is more money.
For our EMTs.
And in conversations that we've had, I am with the unions and the unions will testify,
I do believe we're at a precipice right now where we have the ear of the public, the ear of government, and the unions will be able, I feel,
very confident to strike a very good collective bargaining agreement now, even though it has been passed over for so long.
I don't think there's ever been a time where more people and more levels of government were looking at the discrepancy and the disgrace in pay equity for EMS workers.
Thankfulness for the job that they do.
Thank you, thank you, thank you all so very much.
Your portion is over.
Please, you're dismissed.
The panel is dismissed, and we will go to public testimony.
So, yeah, there will be someone from the mayor's office staying as well as someone from fire department staying through the public.
They won't be questioned, but I want them to be able to hear what's going on.
Thank you.