Are fast response times a priority?

To the editor:

Twenty-two-year old Adam Benhammou of East 116th Street near Lexington Avenue in Manhattan died on Saturday evening, May 2, 2026.  He was somebody's son and somebody's neighbor.

The NYPD officers, who were with him on the scene where he lived, reportedly called for emergency medical help at 5:44 p.m.  When no help arrived, they called again 21 minutes later.  

Still 20 minutes later, when no EMS ambulance had arrived, the police themselves drove Adam to Harlem Hospital, a short 1.5 miles away, where he was pronounced dead at 6:56 p.m. 

If his death were from the cause that was reported in the newspapers, an apparent drug overdose, would he still be alive if emergency medical help had arrived in a timely manner? He had no documented history of drug use.  

The NYC medical examiner will ultimately determine the cause of Adam Benhammou's death.

 And what about all the others?  

Last month, almost 3,000 people across the five boroughs, who were suffering from segments one to three life-threatening medical emergencies (including cardiac arrest, unconsciousness, choking, severe difficulty breathing, major trauma, severe burns, etc.) and for whom 911 was called, waited more than 20 minutes for paramedics to reach their sides.  

Did they all survive the wait?

The reality is that by the time New Yorkers, their families, friends and neighbors need ambulances, they're in no position to influence whether or not the FDNY Emergency Medical Services has been allocated the needed resources to arrive in time to help.

The Mayor and the 51 NYC Council Members are now hashing out a budget for NYC services, including FDNY EMS.

 Are ambulances that quickly respond to medical emergencies among NYC taxpayers' priorities?

Helen Northmore