FDNY SEZ, ‘WE DON’T

Emergencies, not COVID checks our job – fire big

It may seem like life or death, but the FDNY doesn’t want New Yorkers calling 911 to get a COVID-19 test.

“Please don’t call 911 unless it’s really an emergency,” FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro said Wednesday. “Don’t call us if you need a test. We don’t do testing. Don’t call us if you think you should get a ride to the hospital for testing, because that’s really not where you should go for a test. It’s a very difficult time right now.”

The department is sharing the same message on social media in multiple languages.

The city 911 system has experienced instances of people calling because they are sick, and then asking to be tested, or asking to be taken to the hospital to get a test, FDNY officials told the Daily News.

But the department does not provide or administer tests, and fire officials said taking callers to the hospital to be tested is not the best or most efficient use of resources.

Instead, callers should dial 311, they said.

The FDNY is having a hard enough time keeping up with actual emergencies.

Call volume is elevated, but not at the record numbers experienced during the start of the pandemic.

The department has received a few hundred extra calls a day, putting the number at more than 4,000. When the pandemic began, those numbers exceeded 5,000 calls a day.

Meanwhile, the FDNY is dealing with its own sick list, including “members out sick with COVID, those who have symptoms but not yet confirmed, and those who are sick in general at this time.”

Those out sick include 30% of the Emergency Medical Service and 17% of firefighters. In March and April, at the height of the pandemic, 25% of EMS workers were out sick. Even with the staff shortages, all firehouses and EMS stations are open, and the FDNY is responding to all calls for help, authorities said.

More than 100 emergency medical technicians who have completed their training were pulled from the EMS Academy and sent into the field to help with staffing. Mandatory overtime is also being used to help fill gaps.

“Like everybody else in this country, and every other business, whether it’s airlines, subways, police departments, this variant of COVID is hitting everyone hard, and the Fire Department is not immune to this,” said Nigro.

“We’re actually more susceptible as we come into contact with people with COVID each and every day,” he said.

“It’s certainly affecting our manpower status. Every call is being answered, but it’s certainly stressing the department.”

Nigro was speaking at a Staten Island wake for FDNY Lt. Joseph Maiello, 53, a 22-year veteran firefighter, who died Sunday morning while on duty at his firehouse, Engine Co. 163 and Ladder Co. 83.