AGENCY TESTIMONY
Efforts to educate public on alternatives to 911 for non-life-threatening issues
0:21:22
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46 sec
Chief Fields discusses FDNY's efforts to educate the public about alternatives to calling 911 for non-life-threatening medical issues. This initiative aims to reduce unnecessary 911 calls and alleviate pressure on the EMS system.
- FDNY is working to inform people about urgent care centers and other non-emergency options
- Reducing unnecessary 911 calls will free up resources for genuine emergencies
- The department is collaborating with City Council members to spread safety messaging to constituents
- This effort aims to improve overall EMS service by focusing on true emergencies
Michael Fields
0:21:22
There are numerous options available today to individually experiencing a non life threatening medical issue.
0:21:29
We are undertaking efforts to educate people about their abilities to seek medical care urgent care centers or other nonemergency room desk destinations.
0:21:41
If we can reduce the number of unnecessary 911 calls, that will free up dispatches and alleviate the burden on emergency medical technicians and paramedics in the field.
0:21:51
The more we can focus our efforts on genuine emergencies, the better we can serve those patients.
0:21:58
Council members have often been very helpful in getting safety messaging out to our to your constituents.
0:22:04
We thank you for that, and we look forward to working together on these issues.
