By EMS1 Staff
NEW YORK — New FDNY ambulance decals will warn the public of the serious prison time those who assault EMS providers could face.
NY Daily News reported that the FDNY is hoping to reduce the number of assaults on EMS providers by reminding everyone of the punishments they could face.
“FDNY EMTs and paramedics are protected by New York state law. Assault is a felony punishable by seven years in prison,” the decals read.
The decals will soon be placed on every ambulance in FDNY’s fleet. The first station to be equipped with them will be EMS Station 26, where fallen EMT Yadira Arroyo was working when she was killed after a man ran her down with her own ambulance.
“These new images on our ambulances are visible reminders to all that FDNY EMTs and paramedics perform dangerous, lifesaving work every single day, and anyone who interferes with that work by assaulting our members faces a severe punishment,” Commissioner Daniel Nigro said.
FDNY officials said there have been 87 attacks on EMS providers in 2018.