(January 17, 2015) Union representatives announced a new law making any assault against on-duty EMS personnel a felony punishable by up to seven years in prison.
In 2015, there were 73 instances of EMTs, paramedics and EMS officers having been attacked while on-duty. In 2014, 78 assaults were reported.
"EMTs and Paramedics should never be assaulted while performing their difficult life-saving work,"said Fire Commissioner Nigro. "These men and women deserve our protection and respect."
Introduced earlier this year by Senator Golden, the Chair of the New York Senate Civil Service and Pensions Committee, Bill S. 4839 was signed into law by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on November 20, 2015. This bill amends the law to provide stronger protection than ever before for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), Paramedics and EMS Officers, who, while performing their assigned duties, are attacked with intent of bodily harm. This law takes effect February 18, 2016.
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Original article retrieved here.