New York’s EMTs deserve more than empty promises

Anthony Almojera is a lieutenant with FDNY EMS, the vice president of Local 3621 FDNY Uniformed EMS Officers and the author of “Riding the Lightning: A Year in the Life of a New York City Paramedic.”

For nearly three years, New York City’s EMTs and paramedics have worked without a contract. That might sound like an administrative delay, but in practice, it means no raises, no cost-of-living adjustments, and no say in how our work is structured. While other first responders have secured contracts and pay increases, we’ve been asked to accept less — despite doing the same lifesaving work.

An entry-level EMT in New York City earns about $39,000 a year. A paramedic, even after years on the job, tops out around $65,000. That’s far below what police officers and firefighters earn, many of whom start closer to $50,000 and can earn well over six figures with overtime and benefits.

The city has offered us the “civilian pattern” — a 16.25 percent raise spread over five years. We’ve declined that offer, not out of stubbornness, but because it fails to reflect the nature of our job. We’re not civilians — we’re uniformed emergency responders, and we’re asking for the same pay and benefits as our counterparts in the other uniformed services.

The effects of this inequity are clear: EMS has the highest turnover rate of any city agency. We lose experienced medics year after year, often to other departments or private-sector jobs that pay more and demand less. Those who stay do so out of deep commitment to the communities we serve — but commitment doesn’t pay the rent.

And some have paid the ultimate price. Captain Allison Russo, a 25-year EMS veteran, was murdered in the line of duty in 2022. She was posthumously promoted. But symbolic recognition without real investment sends a painful message — that honoring the dead is easier than supporting the living.

Mayor Eric Adams campaigned on a promise to fix this. While he’s found time to make smoothies on Instagram, he hasn’t found  time to keep his promise. And while the political capital of that broken promise may be spent, the urgency of our situation remains.

The next mayor will have a choice: to continue treating EMS as a lesser service or to finally recognize us as the essential uniformed responders we are. That recognition must come with pay equity, benefits, and a seat at the uniformed bargaining table. Our work saves lives. It’s time our city valued ours, too.