New York City Fire Department Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Merger with EMS
March 16, 2016
On Wednesday, March 16, dozens of active and retired FDNY members gathered to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the merger between the Health and Hospitals Corporation Emergency Medical Service and the Fire Department of New York. On March 17, 1996, the two groups officially merged, making FDNY the largest department based provider of emergency medical care in the country. This collaboration has helped the department continue to save lives and respond efficiently to the growing number of medical calls received each year in New York City.“This merger is a true life-saving partnership that protects our city and every single person who visits, works and lives here in our city,” said Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro.
In 2015, the Department responded to a record breaking 1.7 million emergencies. “Through the merger, the FDNY was able to adapt and position itself in a manner to respond to these calls day after day and save lives in ways never thought possible a century ago” remarked Chief of Department James E. Leonard.
The New York City Fire Department is the busiest fire Department in the world demanding the highest standards for training and recruitment.“ Patient care is at such a high caliber in this city, it’s second to none,” said EMS Chief James P. Booth.
FDNY administers the highest level of pre-hospital care, with Paramedics and EMTs working in conjunction with firefighters to respond to medical emergencies. The merger twenty years ago raised the level of protection and service FDNY provides to New Yorkers, including medical boats, which are certified marine ambulances that can respond to medical incidents on the waterways of New York City, to its highly trained rescue paramedics who can deliver medical care directly to patients trapped in trenches, buried in collapsed buildings and hanging from scaffolding high above street level.
“Thanks to the partnership that began 20 years ago,” said Commissioner Nigro, “the FDNY saves more lives today than that at any point in our history. That is the true legacy and the greatest benefit of the merger we’re celebrating today.”