Our Bureau
New York, NY
The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) and the Mayor’s Office of Ethnic and Community Media hosted a virtual media roundtable on the current emergency medical services (EMS) recruitment. Chief of EMS Michael Fields and Director of EMS Recruitment Brandon Mahon discussed how to become an FDNY EMT and EMT trainee, and the benefits of becoming part of the FDNY’s emergency medical response.
All EMS Trainees and probationary FDNY EMTs are appointed from an active Civil Service list. The exam filing period for these careers is currently open. Trainees and Probationary EMTs begin their careers at the EMS Academy located in Bayside.
It was reiterated in the roundtable that FDNY EMS members receive an incredible benefits package and a competitive salary. The benefits include over 20 different health plans with family and domestic partners, five-year pension vesting with full pension benefits after 25 years of service, deferred compensation and 401K plans available, overtime, shift differential and meal money, and excellent promotional opportunities.
For FDNY EMT, to apply the candidates must have a high school diploma or its educational equivalent and a valid NYS Department of Health EMT-B or EMT-P certification. To be appointed, the candidate must have along with a driver’s license valid in New York State, successfully complete Physical Ability Testing Comprehensive Background Character Investigation Medical and Psychological testing (including drug screening).
The FDNY Probationary EMT School (PES) is a 13-week-long intensive classroom instruction academy. After graduating they successfully complete the EMS Trainee Academy and get assigned to one of 40 EMS stations or Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD). The starting Salary is $39,386 – $47,016 whereas after 5 Years it is $59,534 – $76,472.
For FDNY Trainee, to file, the applicant must be 18 years of age by the end of the application period and have a high school diploma, GED, or foreign educational equivalent. Six months of satisfactory full-time employment; or 15 college credits from an accredited college or university; or U.S. Military service with an Honorable Discharge.
The Probationary Trainee Program (PTP) is a 16-week-long intensive classroom instruction academy. The starting salary is $36,330 to $44,565 and after 5th year, it is $59,534 – $76,472.
