New York City's new fire commissioner is pushing for better pay for EMS workers.
During a State of the FDNY Speech, Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore noted the department is struggling with recruitment of EMS workers.
"I believe in pay parity. It's time to embrace EMS as an equal within the fire department and certainly within the first responder community and not only in New York but across the nation."
An EMT has the potential to make 59 thousand dollars after five years of service. That's far less than the potential 110-thousand an FDNY firefighter could earn five years in. The EMS Union and the City are expected to go to the bargaining table soon.