Over and out? Emergency medical crews denied NYPD radios in move that unions say endangers the public | EXCLUSIVE

The NYPD has locked out emergency medical crews from police radio communications, putting both police officers and EMS first responders at risk, EMS union leaders say.

The department began radio encryption in July 2023, but failed to accommodate Emergency Medical Service technicians and paramedics who have historically had direct communications with police. Shutting out these first responders from NYPD communications, the union leaders argue, flies in the face of federal mandates which call for “interoperability” between emergency services providing critical information to all emergency workers.