The FDNY wants to raise the price of ambulance and emergency medical treatment.

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The FDNY wants to raise the price of ambulance and emergency medical treatment

The FDNY blames increased operating costs and says it also aims to reduce the burden on taxpayers by raising the price of EMS ambulance treatment and transport service

While the FDNY cites payroll as one of the reasons for the proposed increases, EMS unions are pushing back, saying EMTs have not had a pay increase in several years

The cost of a normal or a “basic life support” ambulance ride would increase approximately 29% from $1,385 to $1,793, while “treatment in place” service would jump approximately 42% from $630 to $896.

Fees for Advanced Life Support Service for levels 1 and 2 would increase by more than 30%. Level 1 would increase from $1,680 to $2,196. Level 2 would increase from $1,692 to $2,212.

Fees for Advanced Life Support Ambulance Treatment in Place, or Facilitation of Treatment in Place, would increase by more than 4% from $1,050 to $1,098.

“We’re going from $1,300 to $1,700, which most people can’t afford, even at the current rate,” said Oren Barzila, the president of EMS Local 2507, which represents EMTs and paramedics.

The FDNY blames increased operating costs and says it also aims to reduce the burden on taxpayers by raising the price of EMS ambulance treatment and transport services.

“The rates are based on the total cost of operating EMS, including payroll costs and supplies, as well as support and capital costs,” an FDNY spokesperson said in a statement to NY1.

Barzilay is pushing back, particularly on any suggestion that a price increase for FDNY ambulance services would be used to pay EMTs.

He said his members haven’t had a contract for several years and negotiations with the FDNY have been stalled for months, in part, over wage increases for EMTs. EMS unions have been calling for an increase in pay, saying some workers are paid so little they can’t afford to pay rent.

“Well, they have to have a reason to give the public as to why they’re increasing the rates,” Barzilay said. “That it’s going to somehow result in a contract, but that’s not necessarily true. I haven’t seen any discussion about increasing the rates that will reflect our members’ wages.”

The labor contract for EMS workers has expired, and EMS unions hope pay increases will be included in a new contract.

Vincent Variale of Local 3621, which represents EMS supervisors, said it needs to happen soon. He said at least 600 EMS workers have quit since last year, and hundreds more are expected to quit in the coming months over low wages.

“They can’t fill the class,” Variale said. “The starting rate [for] this job is $18 an hour. You could make more money driving [for] Uber. Why would you want to do this?”

“If we haven’t gotten a raise in four years, I don’t know what they’re doing with the money they say they’re taking for our salaries,” he said.

While Variale understands a price increase for ambulance and EMS services in this economy, he says higher wages for EMTs should be a priority for the FDNY.

NY1 has reached out to City Hall for comment and hasn’t heard back.

The FDNY will conduct a virtual public hearing on Microsoft Teams at 11 a.m. on May 15, 2026. People can comment on the proposed rules on the FDNY’s website.

The last time there was an increase in medical transport fees and services was three years ago.