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Q&A
Addressing equity concerns in body retrieval and response times
4:22:34
ยท
108 sec
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse raises concerns about equity in body retrieval and response times across different areas of the city. Dr. Jason Graham acknowledges the issue and explains the factors affecting response times.
- Narcisse mentions complaints from families about long wait times for body retrieval, particularly in Brooklyn
- Dr. Graham recognizes this as an area of concern and states that OCME is continuously working to improve response times
- He explains the coordinated response involving EMS, NYPD, and OCME, noting that different types of cases (e.g., potential crime scenes) require different response protocols
- Dr. Graham assures that they are working with EMS and NYPD to improve overall response times
Mercedes Narcisse
4:22:34
The way I'm pushing so hard is because we have a gold standard lab because we are the leading in that aspect, New York City stand outstanding job and I wanna say thank you for that.
4:22:46
But what concerning me is the equity in getting those bodies as well.
4:22:53
Some families that calling me, somebody stay with them for hours.
4:22:59
So there is a problem there.
4:23:01
So I want to find out where, how we're gonna pick up those, how you plan, you know, your plan being going.
4:23:09
Do we have equity in picking up bodies throughout?
4:23:11
Because in I know in Brooklyn, we have a situation.
4:23:14
So how are we doing with that?
Jason Graham
4:23:16
I I I appreciate that question, and I feel that this is an area of concern of ours as well, and we are continuously working to improve our response times.
4:23:32
However, some of the factors that I mentioned before also play a role in the situation that you described.
4:23:39
We are EMS responds to a death scene.
4:23:43
NYPD responds to a death scene.
4:23:46
It's often a coordinated response.
4:23:49
If it is a crime scene or judged to be a potential crime scene, that requires a different response and at different times than would be a more routine case.
4:24:00
When NYPD responds to death scenes, they contact our office and then our office responds from that point forward.
4:24:09
And so there are many factors that go into the overall response times which I feel like we are working together to try and improve overall between EMS, NYPD, and the OCME.