In December 2019, the world changed forever as the most catastrophic global pandemic in over a century began spreading throughout the world. By March 2020, the members of the International Association of EMTS and Paramedics (IAEP) Local 20 were on the frontlines within one of the first U.S. epicenters of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York. While our neighbors "locked down," we went into the belly of the beast, serving our communities on the frontlines with limited access to PPE and little working knowledge of the virus and its effect on the human body. The work was exhausting, both mentally and physically, but we knew that our skills and knowledge were needed to save our neighbors' lives. We answered the call. We were essential. 

Shortly thereafter, we became aware of the fact that we were not legally classified as "essential" in our state (New York). The pandemic laid bare our society's indispensable need for quality pre-hospital care, so we realized we could not sit idly by until our laws recognized us as such, too.

The "Make EMS Essential" movement formed in 2021 as a grassroots effort by IAEP Local 20 members to lobby for legal essential status, as well as the necessary changes within the field of EMS to improve working conditions for the people who risk their lives every day for the benefit of their neighbors.

More specifically, we want to see a future for EMS in which more funding is used to support livable wages, mental health resources, and long-term benefits for a more sustainable career path for EMS professionals in the state.

We support New York Senate Bill S4020 in its aim to "establish an emergency medical services quality and sustainability assurance program, a statewide comprehensive emergency medical system plan and an emergency medical systems training program" and designate EMS as an essential service. 

Sign this petition to urge the legislature of New York to pass S4020 to make EMS an essential service and ensure EMS is properly funded so that all New Yorkers have access to a timely ambulance in their time of need!