2014 to be
record-breaking year for FDNY emergency response
Firefighters respond to a tugboat fire earlier this year in
Tottenville. Officials said 2014 is expected to be a record-breaking year for
FDNY emergency response.
CITY HALL -- Firefighters and EMS personnel will have responded
to a record number of emergency calls in 2014 and are expected to exceed more
than 1.6 million by the end of the year.
"Responding to more calls for help than ever before is a
challenge for our firefighters, EMTs and paramedics, but they once again rose
to the challenge this year to help New Yorkers in need," Fire Commissioner
Daniel Nigro sand in a statement.
The previous high was in 2012 when the FDNY responded to 1.575
million emergencies.
Fire responses are up 9 percent, largely due to an increase in
reported gas emergencies, and medical service calls increased 3 percent.
The number of fire and fire deaths remained at historic lows,
officials said.
"This serves as testament to the skill and commitment of
the men and women of the FDNY to help their fellow New Yorkers when they need
it most," Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement.
By the numbers:
Gas emergencies increased 68 percent this year, from 26,024 in
2013 to 43,692 through Dec. 14 this year. Officials attributed this to a policy
change following a fatal gas explosion in East Harlem. New Yorkers are now
urged to call 911 to report suspected gas leaks.
The number of fire-related deaths increased by one since last
year, to 68 through Dec. 14. In the last five years, fewer New Yorkers have
died in fires than any comparable period since the city started to keep accurate
records in 1916.
Serious fires -- including one-alarm and above -- are up by
about 2 percent, from 2,333 in 2013 to 2,380 through Dec. 14.
The number of EMS incidents increased by 3 percent in 2014,
from 1,249,530 last year to 1,289,854 responses. Life-threatening responses
(such as cardiac arrest, unconsciousness and choking) rose by 6 percent.
