Latest news with #EMT
New York Post
10 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Mayor Adams and FDNY slapped with suit for moving 82 fire cadets into EMT roles
The Big Apple's largest municipal union is blasting city officials for sliding 82 firefighter trainees into EMT jobs — blowing past hiring lists and allegedly leaving certified candidates in the dust. District Council 37's Local 2507 — the union for FDNY EMTs and paramedics — accuse the FDNY and Mayor Adams of violating civil service law by appointing fire cadets to provisional EMT roles without exams or having ever applied for the job. 'These 82 people wanted nothing to do with EMS,' said Local 2507 president Oren Barzilay. 'They applied to become firefighters.' 6 Mayor Eric Adams is under fire as EMS union sues over the city's plan to push 82 Fire Cadets into EMT jobs — sidelining hundreds of certified EMTs waiting on official hiring lists. Andrew Schwartz / The cadets — part-time city employees — concluded a two-year training program in May intended to boost diversity in the FDNY. But after graduating, they weren't placed into the Fire Academy. Instead, the city enrolled them in EMT training that began June 16, according to a Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit. Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker, who is named in the suit, publicly addressed the decision at the cadet graduation — saying the move would help keep cadets on the payroll, give them union protection and prepare them for eventual firefighter training. 6 Oren Barzilay, president of the FDNY EMT union, says most of the cadets 'don't want to do this' and that forcing them into EMS roles wastes valuable training seats. Natan Dvir 'I thought it is in their best interest to become full-time employees of the FDNY, to go into a union, to get a raise, to get benefits and to begin to be trained as EMTs,' Tucker told families. 'One day, maybe they'll thank me. Maybe they won't.' But Barzilay said only 69 cadets reported for EMT training — and most don't plan to stick around. 6 While ambulances drive through the city, certified EMTs remain on standby, passed over for cadets who haven't taken the required civil service exams, the lawsuit alleges. William Miller None of the cadets took the EMT civil service exam or appear on the city's official hiring lists, the lawsuit, filed on June 13, claims. Meanwhile, Barzilay said hundreds of certified EMT candidates remain on standby. Some cadets are expected to join the Fire Academy in October, while others could stay in EMT roles for up to two years, Tucker said in his remarks. 'They tell us straight to our face, they don't want to do this,' Barzilay said. 'Once they graduate the EMS Academy, they're going straight to the Fire Academy.' 6 At the cadet commencement, FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said placing cadets in EMT roles would keep them employed, provide union benefits and prepare them for eventual firefighter training. Gabriella Bass Barzilay also raised public safety concerns, warning that pushing through trainees who don't want to be EMTs could lead to mistakes on the job. 'If they're not in it 100%, people can get hurt,' he said. 'Lives are on the line.' 6 The union's lawsuit alleges the city broke civil service laws by assigning cadets to EMT positions without proper exams or applications. Union leader Henry Garrido is seen here at an event with the mayor. Paul Martinka The union president also warned the move could signal a larger shift. 'It seems like they have an agenda to cross-train future firefighters into EMTs and paramedics — which ultimately would lead to the dissolvement of EMS,' he said. 6 Barzilay warned this move could be part of a broader plan to shift FDNY staffing by pushing future firefighters into EMT roles — a change he said might 'dissolve' EMS. William Miller A spokesperson for the FDNY said they are aware of the lawsuit and declined comment on ongoing litigation.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Walz urges Minnesotans to avoid 'No Kings' Day rallies June 14 after shooting
Walz urges Minnesotans to avoid 'No Kings' Day rallies June 14 after shooting Show Caption Hide Caption 2 officers and EMT killed responding to a domestic violence call Two police officers and a paramedic were killed a in Burnsville, Minnesota shooting, during a response to a domestic violence incident. Straight Arrow News Minnesota Governor Tim Walz advises against attending political rallies due to safety concerns after targeted attacks on state lawmakers. Two state lawmakers and their spouses were shot, resulting in the death of Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband. The suspect, who is still at large, impersonated a police officer and had a manifesto listing targeted lawmakers. (This story was updated to add new information.) Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety are urging protesters not to attend June 14 "No Kings" Day demonstrations across the state. The advisory comes as a precaution after two state lawmakers and their spouses were shot in targeted attacks June 14. "Out of an abundance of caution my Department of Public Safety is recommending that people do not attend any political rallies today until the suspect is apprehended," Walz posted on X, formerly Twitter. St. Cloud Police Chief Jeffrey Oxton asked people in the St. Cloud area to not go to public protests in the city on Saturday. "Out of an abundance of caution & in combination with State and Federal authorities and due to the targeted shootings of state lawmakers overnight in the Twin Cities, we are asking the public not to attend any planned demonstrations or rallies in St. Cloud today," Oxton said on Twitter. President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the "terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers." "Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!" he said in a statement, USA Today reported. State Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, and her husband, Mark, died from their gunshot wounds, Walz said at a Saturday morning news briefing. Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, and his wife, Yvette, were also shot, and are currently alive. The shooter is still on the loose. The suspect knocked on the lawmakers' doors while impersonating a police officer, according to law enforcement. Authorities say the suspect also had a vehicle resembling a police squad car, and inside the vehicle was a manifesto listing lawmakers. Both Hortman and Hoffman were on the list. There are two protests scheduled for downtown St. Cloud for June 14, "No Kings" Day. Several protests across the state have already been canceled. Corey Schmidt covers politics and courts for the St. Cloud Times. He can be reached at cschmidt@
CBS News
13-06-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Volunteer medics in Colorado mobilize ahead of "No Kings" protests on Saturday
As many gear up to attend Saturday's protest in Denver, a team of volunteer medics is stepping in to ensure demonstrators stay safe. Pulse Colorado is made up of EMTs, nurses, and paramedics who will be at the protest, ready to respond to medical emergencies ranging from dehydration and heat stroke to injuries caused by potential police force. "Our job is to make sure protesters can focus on the message without having to worry about their safety," said Jake Paul, the group's medical coordinator. "We've got trained professionals spread across the area, and we're prepared for a range of scenarios." EMT and volunteer street medic Jake Paul talks about the medical kit he keeps on his bike, which he'll ride at the "No Kings" protest in Denver on Saturday to help him treat a range of injuries and health issues, if needed. CBS Pulse Colorado officially formed just one month ago, though many of its members have been doing protest medic work informally. "There's always been a need for medics and safety at protests," Paul said. "We get all those resources together and then we get them to the organizations that are making these actions so they can focus on the bigger picture." The group now includes about 20 medics: four EMTs, one paramedic, five registered nurses, and others with first aid certification. Their goal isn't just to patch people up; they're also providing communication support, safety logistics, and coordination. "We respond to seizures, falls, dislocations, tear gas exposure -- you name it," Paul said from his medic bike. "Ambulances can take 15 minutes to an hour to arrive during a protest. That delay can make the difference in a critical situation." Street medics did similar work during the 2020 protests in Denver and can often be seen at protests and rallies around the country. Some do that work more regularly for communities' homeless populations. All members of Pulse are volunteers, paying out of pocket for medical supplies. Paul says he recently spent $400 of his own money assembling trauma kits. "We rely on donations," he said. "Medical supplies are expensive, and we're doing our best to stretch what we have." Among those joining Pulse for the first time this weekend is Jennifer Samudio, a registered nurse with experience in emergency departments, long-term care, and home health. She initially planned to attend the protest alone, bringing her own first aid kit and hoping to help if anyone needed her. Jennifer Samudio packs her first aid kit in preparation for Saturday's "No Kings" protest in Denver. The Denver emergency room nurse will work as a volunteer street medic with the group Pulse Colorado. CBS "I saw what was happening in L.A., and I just felt like I couldn't sit back anymore," Samudio said. "I made a post on Reddit asking for tips, and suddenly I was getting messages connecting me to Pulse. It just took off from there." Samudio says she was driven to act, not only by what she saw on the news, but also by the people she works with every day. "Many of my patients can't go to these protests, even though they want to. I feel like I'm there being their voice," she said. "If someone needs help, I can't ignore it." Pulse medics will be easy to identify. Most will be wearing boots and tactical-style clothing, with medical crosses on their gear and clearly-marked backpacks. Some will be on bikes or near designated medical tents. A safety hotline will also be available during the protest, allowing people to call in for help if they can't find someone in person. "Best case? We just hand out water, treat a few heat injuries, and eat pizza at the med tent," Paul laughed. "If we're bored, that means everyone's safe." For more information, visit their Instagram @pulsecollective_co.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Monrovia Volunteer Fire & Rescue sees large uptick in volunteers after changing application process
MONROVIA, Ala. (WHNT) — Monrovia Volunteer Fire & Rescue is celebrating reaching a recruitment goal. Public Information Officer James Filley says since Jan. 1, the department has received 40 new applications. This comes as it recently switched from a paper application that needed to be hand-delivered to the station to an online application. 'We're much easier to find now, and I think that has really improved our application base,' Filley said. He said in addition to posting on their own social media accounts, they also post on online job forums and websites to increase visibility. 'There's been a longstanding narrative in the volunteer fire department community that people don't want to volunteer anymore. Well, what this kind of proves is that that's not really true,' Filley said. 'We just have to reach those people.' One of the newest volunteers at Monrovia Volunteer Fire & Rescue is Cathy Ross. She told News 19 that she recently got her EMT license and found the department online. 'I came across Monrovia online on one of the job sites, and I said, 'This is perfect to start somewhere' and start practicing my skills,' Ross said. 'Knowing that I can help people in their moment of need is something that has always intrigued me about the medical service, and now that I'm an EMT, I thought, what better way to serve my community than by volunteering in my free time,' Ross added. Another recent addition to the lineup at the firehouse is probationary firefighter Matthew Seemann. He told News 19 that he's been volunteering for Monrovia for about six months. 'It's volunteer, so it's very flexible, so if you've got a busy life and you don't know if you'll be able to commit a lot of time to it, that's still fine, come check it out,' Seamann said. 'Maybe you'll decide that you enjoy it and make it a priority,' he said. 'It's definitely a priority for the people that are here.' Monrovia Volunteer Fire & Rescue serves more than 30,000 residents in the Monrovia part of Madison County. Lt. James Filley told News 19 that with a growing population, the department anticipates it will run more than 3,000 calls by the end of the year. That means extra hands on the job will make a big difference. 'It's always good to have more, especially when talking about the workload of our current member,' said Head of Personnel, Hannah Butterfield. 'Trying to equally spread the load with all of our members is kind of what we're hoping for.' Butterfield assists with the application process and told News 19 that the online application has streamlined things. 'It's been super easy to contact people,' she said. 'It's totally exciting to see people that have an excitement for helping the community, and we're always looking for people.' If you're interested in applying to volunteer with Monrovia Volunteer Fire & Rescue, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBC
11-06-2025
- Health
- CBC
Province will spend $6.5M to keep paramedic, EMT graduates in N.B.
Social Sharing The province has announced a $6.5-million bursary program for paramedic and emergency medical technician students that train in New Brunswick and commit to working in the province. The program will be available to current and future students until March 2026. To be eligible, paramedics must sign a two-year agreement and emergency medical technicians will need to sign a one-year agreement. Students will then be reimbursed in two payments — the first when they finish school and the second when they complete their "return-of-service" agreement. Craig Dalton, the CEO of EM/ANB Inc., previously known as Ambulance New Brunswick, said the funding will address current staffing shortages and, in turn, reduce the pressure on staff. "The reality of serving today … is that doing what they do in a system that has been beset with staffing shortages is a challenge and it takes a toll," Dalton said. The funding will cover the full cost of training for 273 paramedics and 39 EMT students. Of the paramedics, 75 are currently enrolled and up to 198 would start training in the 2025-26 academic year. WATCH | Reimbursement will help work-life balance, Ambulance N.B. CEO says: Paramedic, EMT students to get tuition money back if they work in N.B. 2 hours ago Duration 2:10 New Brunswick is putting $6.5 million into a tuition reimbursement fund for paramedic and emergency medical technician students who promise to work in the province after they graduate. Health Minister John Dornan said the province is "down by about 200" staff and this recruitment effort will help create a "more comfortable working environment." "We need to have more paramedics and EMTs on the road and this initiative will help ensure there's a pipeline of trained professionals training here to help fulfil current and future vacancies," Dornan said. Dalton said staffing struggles are "like any other health-care profession." "It's been that way for five plus years. So, it's a challenge to get that very small group of talent, and this is a huge tool in our toolbox to be able to do that," he said. Dornan said the role of paramedics is evolving, and the services they provide continue to expand. "It's tougher to be a paramedic today than it was 20 years ago," said Dornan, a doctor and former Horizon Health CEO. He said paramedics are able to put tubes into people's lungs and defibrillate patients in the ambulance. He said the province is also working to allow paramedics to give "clot busters" in the ambulance to help people survive heart attacks. "The ability, the tools that paramedics can use now are way more than they were in the past and they want this, they're asking us to let them do more." In the future, he said paramedics will be "very integrated" with the province's collaborative care teams. "Sometimes a paramedic will come to your door and you might not need to go to the hospital," Dornan said. Dalton said seven additional ambulance units will be introduced across the province this year, "in areas where we are particularly stressed with the services." Ambulance New Brunswick will also work with the province to rethink how units are dispatched. "My message is the system needs to evolve as the environment evolves, and I'm confident that we're doing that," Dalton said. Rebecca Bird has been a paramedic for three years and loves her job, despite it being difficult at times. She attended the announcement in Moncton and is glad the province is helping students. She said she would've liked the same opportunity during her training. According to Medavie HealthEd's website, the 50-week primary care paramedic program costs approximately $21,000. Bird looks forward to having more staff in the province to improve the lives of current staff. "It's really going to help staff our trucks, ensure that we're getting off on time … we're going to be able to help our other colleagues with covering what needs to be covered and hopefully giving us that work-life balance that we desperately need." According to a news release from the province, the program covers training offered by Omni Life Support Training & Consulting, Medavie HealthEd, Oulton College and Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick. Dornan didn't say whether the province would renew the bursary program, but said they would "evaluate" its value.
