Mayor: Add benefits for city workers

coronavirus and died at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.

“We will remember all of them, and there’s a special place in our heart for Paul’s family,” de Blasio said. “They will always be regarded by us as New Yorkers,

and we’ll always be there for them.”

The praise came at a press conference in which the mayor called for state authorization for the city to give line-of-duty benefits to families of the more than 270 city employees who have died outbreak.

He said the sacrifices highlighted the need to honor all the EMS members who have been toiling on the front lines of the outbreak.

“Our EMTs, our paramedics, our EMS staff have been superstars. So much has been asked of them and they have performed brilliantly,” Hizzoner said.

He noted 911 calls reached an all-time high around the peak of the outbreak, with 6,527 calls coming in on March 30.

“It held — an extraordinary organization held no matter what was thrown at it,” de Blasio said. during the

With more than 270 city employees dying during the coronavirus outbreak, Mayor de Blasio called on Albany to approve benefits for family members of those workers.

“It’s so important for us to say to their families that we will be there for you — not just words, but deeds,” Hizzoner said at a Tuesday news conference. “Your loved one gave their all to us; we will be there for you.

“I am officially asking the state of New York to authorize line-of-duty benefits for those public employees that we’ve lost,” he added.

The city would pay for the benefits but needs a green light from Albany to do so, according to de Blasio’s office.

Asked Tuesday whether he would use his emergency powers if the state doesn’t take action, de Blasio suggested the option is on the table.

“If we sense there’s going to be a meaningful delay there and there’s other things we can do, of course, I’ll look for every way to help these families,” he said.

The comments came as city and state leaders have looked to Congress for help with massive coronavirus-related costs, and President Trump and Senate Republicans have balked.

Union leaders and City Council members have been clamoring for the city to classify coronavirus-related deaths of city workers as “line-of-duty” fatalities, which would open up benefits to family members — as well as recognition for the deceased.

“This is the right move,” Councilman Joe Borelli (RS.I.) said of de Blasio’s remarks. “These are our employees and it’s our obligation to support their families after working through COVID caused their untimely deaths.”

De Blasio recently authorized an extra 45 days of health insurance benefits for family members of city workers who died of COVID-19.

The Police Benevolent Association, a frequent foe of the mayor, gave tentative praise of his Tuesday remarks.