MAYOR GIULIANI CONSIDERS LEGISLATION TO ISSUE ANNUAL ON-STREET PARKING PERMITS FOR EMERGENCY
AMBULANCE SERVICES
Remarks by Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani at Public Hearing on Local Laws
This legislation would authorize the Commissioner of Transportation to issue annual on-street parking permits for vehicles authorized by volunteer ambulance services to operate as emergency service response vehicles. The Department of Transportation currently issues annual on-street parking permits as part of its Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Permit Program. Therefore, this bill will simply codify an already existing practice that is aimed at ensuring that our dedicated volunteer emergency medical technicians are able to respond to medical emergencies on a timely manner.
Specifically, this bill will enable volunteer ambulance personnel to station their emergency ambulance service vehicles in close proximity to their work or home location, by permitting them to park in spaces that are prohibited by sign or rules, but only when the vehicle is on standby for an emergency ambulance service. The permit system does not and would not authorize the parking of motor vehicles in areas that would be contrary to public safety, such as fire hydrants or fire zones.
This permit system plays an important role in saving people's lives in New York City. By allowing volunteer ambulance personnel to station vehicles near their home and work while on call for emergency service, the response time it takes EMTs to reach victims of medical emergencies is clearly improved.
I will first turn to the sponsors of this bill; next, to any other elected officials who wish to speak.
There being no one else to be heard, and for the reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.
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