FDNY EMS to Begin Carrying Epinephrine on all Ambulances

Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta announced on April 3 plans for all FDNY ambulances to begin carrying doses of epinephrine as an additional precautionary lifesaving tool.

The FDNY’s Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances already carry the drug, which is used to treat patients in anaphylactic shock. Under the new policy, EMTs on Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances will carry EpiPens containing a ready-to-administer standard dose of epinephrine.

Although 911 calls for anaphylactic shock typically receive an ALS ambulance, BLS crews could be asked to respond to those cases if a distressed caller gives incomplete or inaccurate information to an emergency dispatcher.

In rare cases where an ALS ambulance is further from the scene of such an emergency, a BLS ambulance might be first on scene and could use the EpiPen to administer the drug to an anaphylactic shock patient sooner.

Anaphylactic shock, brought on by severe allergic reactions, causes rapid constriction of the airway and can lead to respiratory failure. Epinephrine prevents worsening of the airway constriction and stimulates the heart to continue beating, and may be life-saving. The change should take effect in the coming months.