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New York City

NYC Ambulance Response Times Slowed in 2026

Data for the fiscal year ending June 2026 showed citywide emergency response times increased to over 13 minutes.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Emergency Response

Isometric editorial illustration of a generic city firehouse facade set against a muted grid, representing urban emergency service response challenges.
Average ambulance response times in New York City increased to 13 minutes and 9 seconds for the fiscal year ending in June 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The average ambulance response time for life-threatening emergencies in New York City reached 13:09 for the fiscal year ending June 2026. This figure marks a significant increase from previous years as the FDNY faces ongoing staffing shortages.

Why it matters

Slower response times are largely attributed to decreased staffing levels across the emergency medical services sector and rising call volumes. The department is losing approximately 10 in-service ambulance units daily due to these personnel constraints.

Advanced life support response rates under 10 minutes varied by borough, with Staten Island reaching 82% compared to 75% in the Bronx. Meanwhile, the base salary for an FDNY EMT after five years is approximately $59,000, significantly trailing the $110,000 earned by firefighters.

The players

FDNY

The New York City Fire Department is the municipal agency responsible for fire protection and emergency medical services.

The details

The FDNY is attempting to mitigate unit shortages by deploying specialized teams that treat patients on-scene for low-acuity mental health calls. Despite these optimization efforts, overall system strain continues to impact citywide arrival times.

Timeline

  1. The citywide EMS analysis covered the period from 2014 to 2024.

  2. The fiscal year 2026 reporting period concluded in June 2026.

  3. The Mayor's Management Report detailing these metrics was released in September 2026.

Seasonal Patterns

These response time figures provide the primary performance baseline established by the 2026 Mayor's Management Report. The data highlights a long-term upward trend in arrival times that contrasts sharply with the performance metrics recorded at the start of the decade.

Residents should be aware that emergency response times vary significantly by borough, with slower times reported in the Bronx compared to other areas. In non-life-threatening situations, utilizing available city resources for mental health calls may help keep high-priority ambulances available for critical emergencies.

The takeaway

Staffing challenges within the city's medical services continue to place pressure on emergency response operations. Bridging the pay disparity between emergency medical personnel and other municipal responders remains a central challenge for future service stability.

Further reading

For more on local public safety metrics, visit the New York City Emergency Response section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Government Technology.

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In your area, are emergency response times for critical situations getting better or worse?