Emergency notifications related to delays in ambulance dispatch.

When the demand for emergency medical services exceeds the availability of in-service ambulances, the Fire Department’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (FDNY-EMS) triages emergency medical calls in order to dispatch ambulances to the most critical medical emergencies. As a result, there can be a queue of emergency medical runs awaiting dispatch for when an ambulance becomes available. This bill would require that New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) issue emergency notifications each time FDNY-EMS has more than 25 pending ambulance dispatches at any given time. Such notification would include information on non-emergency room resources for medical care and consideration of when individuals should seek alternative means of transportation to an emergency room.