Esposito ties response times to hospital closures and lost voluntary units
Esposito says 19 hospitals have closed since 2003, forcing ambulances to travel farther and reducing hospital-run ambulance contributions to the 911 system. He notes the system is about two-thirds municipal FDNY units and one-third hospital-run units, and says any lost tours add stress.
There are also elements that influence response times that are unrelated to staffing.
Since 2003, 19 hospitals in New York City have closed, with the most recent closure in 2025.
That means fewer destinations for patients.
With each closure, ambulances must travel further to get the patient to the emergency room and further again to travel back to their assigned area.
Hospital closures also mean fewer hospitals contributing ambulances to respond in the 911 system.
Currently, the 911 system is made up approximately two-third municipal units operated by FDNY members and one-third hospital-run units that are staffed by the hospitals.
We've also experienced hospitals reducing the number of units that they contribute to the 911 system.
Each of those lost tours adds stress on the system.