NYC ambulance waits hit 13 minutes, council pushes real-time tracking bill

New York City ambulances now average 13 minutes to reach critical emergencies, up 41.2% from a decade ago, according to a recent comptroller report. Response times rose sharply between fiscal years 2025 and 2026, the fastest increase of the decade. Council member Joann Ariola, chair of the Fire and Emergency Management Committee, has refiled a bill that would require the city to send individualized text updates so callers can see an ambulance’s location in real time.

Democratic councilmember Harvey Epstein supports the measure, arguing that knowing a half-hour wait would allow patients to choose a cab or other transport. FDNY leadership, including Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore and EMS Chief Paul Miano, indicated they are receptive to the text-alert approach. Officials also cite chronic EMS staffing shortages, with entry-level pay lagging behind other uniformed services and thousands of EMTs leaving since 2019, fueling calls for pay parity that would cost the city an estimated $184 million annually. The mayor’s office declined comment, but the fire department pledged to keep working on reducing delays.