Res. No. 1809
Resolution calling on the Department of Citywide Administrative Services to offer a competitive exam for individuals serving in Emergency Medical Service positions within the New York City Fire Department in order to determine any promotion from Lieutenant to Chief.
By Council Members Gerson, Brewer, Jackson, James and Weprin
Whereas, In 1996, the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) were merged and FDNY’s 3,000 Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) make up the largest, most highly trained emergency medical service in the world; and
Whereas, The EMS Command provides the most advanced pre-hospital medical care and its members are often at the forefront of every emergency, making life-and-death decisions that affect the lives of millions of New Yorkers; and
Whereas, Civil service competitive exams are administered for the EMS-Paramedic and EMS-EMT titles; and
Whereas, The civil service title “Supervising EMS Specialist” has two assignment levels in which level one is commonly referred to as “Lieutenant” and level two is referred to as “Captain;” and
Whereas, Lieutenants are responsible for an individual tour of ambulances during the eight-hour period that they are on duty to ensure that those ambulances are staffed appropriately and that personnel are responsible for their equipment; and
Whereas, Further, Lieutenants handle reports, observe the EMTs' and Paramedics' ability to perform patient care, inspect ambulances, and ensure that ambulances are staffed properly; and
Whereas, Captains supervise the work of Lieutenants, review paperwork from the previous tours, generate monthly schedules, and are responsible for paperwork regarding the repairs and maintenance of the facility, as well as the administration of any discipline or corrective action; and
Whereas, A promotional exam, administered by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), is given to promote an EMS officer to Lieutenant only; and
Whereas, The promotion to Captain is made by the Chief of EMS through appointment, based on an interview process, recommendations, and past performance; and
Whereas, Furthermore, a competitive exam should be given for promotions to Chief; and
Whereas, Competitive exams are an effective method of ensuring that the hiring process is objective and fair; and
Whereas, Some have expressed concern that the promotions to Captain and Chief are based on relationships rather than merit; and
Whereas, Administering a promotional exam for Captains would put the EMS promotion process on par with that of other uniformed services; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Department of Citywide Administrative Services to offer a competitive exam for individuals serving in Emergency Medical Service positions within the New York City Fire Department in order to determine any promotion from Lieutenant to Chief.
LS #6306
S.O.
12/15/08
1:12pm