Michael Regan (718) 999-2056 (FDNY)
MAYOR GIULIANI AND FIRE COMMISSIONER VON ESSEN ANNOUNCE IMPROVED RESPONSE
TIMES TO LIFE-THREATENING MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
Certified First Responder Program Credited with Decrease in Response Time
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen today joined firefighters and emergency medical technicians for brunch at Engine Company 16, Ladder Company 7 in Manhattan and announced that the Fire Department/ Emergency Medical Service response time to life-threatening medical emergencies since 1995 has decreased from 8 minutes 45 seconds to 7 minutes 1 second since 1995 -- a 1 minute 44 seconds reduction.
"Since the merger of the Fire Department with Emergency Medical Services in 1996 firefighters, teamed with emergency medical technicians and paramedics, are responding to a greater number of incidents, and in record time," Mayor Giuliani said. "The Certified First Responder Program, where New York City's Bravest learn the life-saving techniques of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation, has played a critical role in FDNY/EMS's ability to respond to the most severe life-threatening injuries in the shortest amount of time. And due to the recently announced reduction in civilian fire-related deaths, New York City now has one of the best Fire Department and EMS combinations in the country."
Fire Commissioner Von Essen said, "Firefighters have a long and proud history of dedicated service to the people of New York City -- a commitment that in recent years has expanded to include responding to life-threatening medical emergencies. As a result, New Yorkers who need help are getting it quicker than ever before -- due to specialized medical care provided by our CFR-D trained firefighters, who augment the efforts of our emergency medical technicians and paramedics."
Last month, Mayor Giuliani and Fire Commissioner Von Essen announced a 38-year low in the number of civilian fire-related deaths in New York City. Last year's total of 145, and the 1996 total of 149, represent the lowest numbers of civilian fire-related deaths in the City since 1959, when there were 124.
The Certified First Responder-Defibrillation program and the EMS merger were designed to increase emergency response by giving our City a seamless, three-tiered EMS system. This system combines early CPR, rapid defibrillation and prompt advanced life support intervention to form a complete chain of survival for the victims of cardiac arrest and other medical emergencies.
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