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AGENCY TESTIMONY
NYCEM's funding challenges and staffing issues
2:24:00
ยท
104 sec
Commissioner Iscol addresses the funding challenges faced by NYCEM, particularly related to federal grants, and highlights staffing issues within the agency.
- 66% of NYCEM's budgeted headcount is supported by federal funds
- Federal grants have been cut nationally over the last five years
- NYCEM staff are undercompensated compared to peers at similarly sized city agencies
- Staff have dual roles, including 24/7 on-call responsibilities not accounted for in salaries
- A comprehensive salary restructuring and advancement policy has been developed to address these issues
Zachary Iscol
2:24:00
Before detailing our budget, I would be remiss if I did not discuss some of the macro issues facing emergency management at this time, particularly funding.
2:24:10
Federal grants make up the majority of NYSEM's budget, with 66% of our agency's budgeted headcount supported by federal funds.
2:24:19
Over the last five years, we have seen cuts to these federal grants nationally while also facing reductions in city funds.
2:24:26
With falling funding and growing costs due to inflation and other economic factors, emergency managers across the country are being asked to do more with less.
2:24:36
I can't think of any more critical investment in safeguarding New Yorkers during times of emergency than in the people who manage those emergencies.
2:24:46
NISM staff are undercompensated compared to peers at similarly sized city agencies.
2:24:55
NISM staff are undercompensated compared to peers at similarly sized city agencies, and their compensation does not account for the dual roles our staff must fulfill.
2:25:07
In addition to their day to day responsibilities, staff rotate on 20 fourseven on call teams where they are responsible for immediate coordination of a city's response to an incident.
2:25:18
This involves significant off hours, weekends, and holiday work that is currently not accounted for in staff salaries.
2:25:25
Our team has developed a comprehensive salary restructuring and advancement policy over the last year to provide career pathways and ensure we retain and grow the experience needed within the ranks of New York City Emergency Management to prepare for, respond to, and recover from future emergencies facing New Yorkers.