Albany, NY – New York State Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato made a giant move for NYC EMTs and Paramedics by passing A.7356. The bill, which was in honor of Alison Russo, permanently codifies protocols that require first responders work in pairs, along with extending that rule to supervisors who previously responded to emergencies alone. Alison Russo was a paramedic who, while responding to an emergency, was brutally murdered in 2022.

While speaking on the bill as it passed the State Assembly, Pheffer Amato told the story of Alison's murder and publicly dedicated the bill to her memory while praising the work of NYC’s EMTs and paramedics. “They save lives every day, and it’s our job to ensure their safety,” the Assemblywoman said. The bill passed unanimously and was cited as Local 2507, the NYC union that represents EMTS and paramedics, as their top legislative priority. The Assemblywoman noted that this bill was necessary to keep heroic workers safe. “While we cannot bring Alison back, this bill honors her and all our first responders. The State is stepping up and doing what’s needed to ensure that our EMTS and paramedics have the staffing levels and partnership requirements to provide more effective services when responding to an emergency. I’m so thankful for the help of Local 2507 in getting this over the finish line and look forward to it being signed into law,” said Pheffer Amato.

“The safety of our EMTs and Paramedics cannot be jeopardized, and on behalf of the men and women of Local 2507, we are incredibly grateful to Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato for making sure that the heinous murder of Alison Russo doesn’t happen again. By passing this law and solidifying staffing levels, we are making sure that the men and women who respond to emergencies are kept safe on the job. [Assemblywoman] Pheffer Amato has repeatedly proven to have the backs of our EMTs and Paramedics and has shown what true leadership and a commitment to first responders looks like,” said Oren Barzilay, president of Local 2507.

Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato was recently awarded the “Public Policy Champion Award” by Local 2507. She simultaneously presented an official New York State Assembly Proclamation to the union to celebrate its 50 years of incredible service to the people of New York City.

The bill also passed the State Senate and was sponsored in that house by Manhattan State Senator Robert Jackson, S.6698