Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz (R,C-Oyster Bay) held a joint press conference alongside Assemblywoman Taylor Darling as well as Co-founder and Executive Director of the Allergy Advocacy Association Toni Taylor on the Million Dollar Staircase in Albany earlier today. Blumencranz has been working with Darling on legislation that would establish the First Responder Epinephrine Preparedness Initiative (EPI) Act. If passed, this law would require the Department of Health to establish the First Responder Epinephrine Access Program, which would require and direct necessary funding to first responder agencies across the state to train employees in the use of epinephrine and/or the use of syringe epinephrine kits. It would also require and fund first responder agencies to equip relevant employees with epinephrine so they would be able to render aid to individuals in the event of an anaphylactic emergency.

“I am very proud to have co-sponsored this bill that will actively save New York lives,” said Blumencranz. “Allergies affect 1 in 5 people in the U.S., and anaphylaxis kills approximately 500 to 1,000 people in the U.S. alone each year. In order to better prepare for, and respond to, future anaphylactic emergencies, we must take the initiative in helping to train and equip New York’s first responders so they have easy access to epinephrine and know how to properly administer it. Assemblywoman Darling and I will continue fighting for this legislation to safeguard the health and well-beinof New York communities.”