Bill to protect EMS better signed into law
State Senator Marty Golden announced earlier this month that Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed into law a bill passed by the state legislature that will help protect emergency medical service paramedics and technicians serving the city.
The bill, which Golden sponsored in the State Senate, amends the law so that any harm committed to EMS personnel, despite intent, will be considered a felony.
“Emergency medical service paramedics and technicians are required to treat patients under extremely dangerous and stressful conditions, and deliberate, violent attacks against these public servants are, sadly, not uncommon,” said Golden. “Therefore, EMS paramedics and technicians should be offered every protection under the law. This bill ensures that, in those cases in which there is proof that an individual intended to injure one of these professionals while on duty, that perpetrator can be prosecuted as a felon. We must do everything in our power to protect those who are there for us in times of need.”