**Gov. Kathy Hochul Vetoes Legislation Mandating Two Qualified Medical Responders on 911 Calls in NYC**
Governor Kathy Hochul has vetoed legislation inspired by the deadly stabbing of EMS Lt. Alison Russo in 2022. The bill would have required that two qualified medical first responders be dispatched to 911 emergency calls in New York City.
In her veto message dated October 16, Governor Hochul expressed concerns that the bill “would pose a fiscal and workforce issue” for the city. The legislation would necessitate hiring an additional 290 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) at an estimated cost of $25 million.
The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) indicated that to comply with the bill, EMTs would need to be reassigned to pair with supervisors responding to 911 calls. This realignment, according to the FDNY, would result in fewer ambulances available for service, exacerbating response time issues.
The union representing 911 ambulance responders criticized the veto, calling it heartless and detrimental to worker safety. Oren Barzilay, president of FDNY EMS Local 2507, stated, “Amending the law would ensure that supervisors working in EMS vehicles would work in teams just as EMTs and paramedics do. It’s saddening that the murder of Lt. Russo was not evident enough to show the dangers of our job that legislation to protect our members was vetoed.”
The FDNY, which has faced increased response times to life-threatening medical emergencies, confirmed it had recommended Governor Hochul veto the bill. In an official statement, the department said, “Ensuring the safety of New Yorkers is always our top priority, and that means making sure our first responders can reach those in need as quickly and efficiently as possible. We are immensely grateful to Governor Hochul for heeding our warning about this bill, which would have inevitably led to fewer ambulances on the streets and longer response times for emergency medical services.”
Currently, ambulances in New York City are staffed by two EMTs or paramedics. Supervisors respond to emergency scenes in separate vehicles, providing guidance and oversight. According to the FDNY, these supervisors typically do not spend significant time working alone at emergency sites.
Union leaders expressed disbelief over the veto rationale. Barzilay highlighted the disparity, pointing out that the $25 million cost cited by Governor Hochul is minimal compared to the FDNY’s $2.6 billion budget and the city’s $116 billion overall budget. “The total lack of investment by City Hall in EMS is an ongoing crisis that is hurting New Yorkers. Governor Hochul’s veto message says that money is more important than the safety of the men and women of the busiest EMS agency in the world,” he said.
Barzilay further criticized the city’s spending priorities, saying, “New York City continually prioritizes other spending initiatives and relegates public safety to the back seat, while EMS members are bloodied, attacked, and mugged in countless dangerous situations.”
The legislation stemmed from the tragic murder of Lt. Alison Russo, who was fatally stabbed by Peter Zisopoulos in an unprovoked attack just a half-block from her Queens stationhouse on September 29, 2022.
Following Russo’s murder, an FDNY investigative report recommended assigning another EMS staff member—an officer’s aide—to accompany responders during 911 calls. This measure aimed to establish a safer work environment and enhance situational awareness for EMS personnel in the field.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/21/us-news/hochul-vetoes-bill-boosting-ems-staffing-on-nyc-911-calls-inspired-by-first-responders-murder/
