NYC responders taking longer to get to emergencies and fire deaths are rising, data shows
NY Post
Big Apple first-responders took longer to get to fires and other emergencies, while more people died in blazes, at the start of this fiscal year compared to last year’s, continuing a troubling trend, City Hall figures show.
The combined average response time for “life-threatening medical emergencies” by ambulances and fire companies jumped 9 seconds, or 1.5%, from 9 minutes and 43 seconds in the first four months of fiscal year 2023-24 compared to 9 minutes and 52 seconds for the same period in 2022-23, according to Mayor Eric Adams’ preliminary management report released last month.
Fire deaths involving civilians also jumped 12.5%, from 16 to 18, from the same period a year ago — July through October.
“Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries are especially deadly and have increased during the reporting period,” the FDNY said.
The rechargeable batteries are found in electric bikes and scooters as well as cars, laptops, tablets, phones and common household devices.
“The FDNY is advising the Administration and is working with legislators at the city, state and federal levels to implement regulatory requirements aimed at reducing the availability of faulty lithium-ion batteries,” the FDNY said in the report.
