What's happening
This bill requires 911 operators and dispatchers in New York to ask callers for a patient's approximate height and weight when emergency aid is needed.
Why it matters
Improves emergency response preparedness. By requiring 911 operators and dispatchers to gather a patient's height and weight, first responders can arrive better prepared with appropriate equipment and personnel, especially for medical emergencies or rescues involving bariatric patients.
Enhances patient safety and care. Knowing approximate physical characteristics in advance can help emergency teams plan for safe lifting and transport, potentially reducing injury risks for both patients and responders.
Standardizes emergency protocols statewide. The bill mandates this practice across all New York counties and New York City, ensuring a uniform approach and reducing variability in emergency response information gathering.
Balances thoroughness with practicality. The law specifies that these questions should be asked “when practicable,” acknowledging that in some urgent situations, collecting this information may not be possible without delaying critical aid.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ask 911 for Patient Size
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to local government
- Referred to local government
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2118
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 22, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SANDERS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Government
AN ACT to amend the county law and the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring 911 operators to ask callers for the approximate height and weight of the patient
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 4 of section 328 of the county law is amended by adding a new paragraph (c) to read as follows:
(c) In addition, the board shall adopt and require that all 911 operators who receive an emergency call that requires fire or emergency service personnel to be dispatched to aid a patient, shall ask the caller for the approximate height and weight of the patient, when practicable, and give that information to the fire or emergency service dispatcher. Additionally, in the event such 911 operator transfers the emergency call to fire or emergency service dispatchers prior to obtaining the height and weight information of the patient the fire or emergency service dispatcher shall ask the caller for the approximate height and weight of the patient, when practicable.
§ 2. The administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 14-146 to read as follows:
§ 14-146 911 emergency call patient information. When a 911 operator receives an emergency call that requires fire or emergency service personnel to be dispatched to aid a patient, the 911 operator shall ask the caller for the approximate height and weight of the patient, when practicable, and give that information to the fire or emergency service dispatcher. In the event the 911 operator transfers the emergency call to fire or emergency service dispatchers prior to obtaining the height and weight information of the patient, the fire or emergency service dispatcher shall ask the caller for the approximate height and weight of the patient, when practicable.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06139-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the county law and the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring 911 operators to ask callers for the approximate height and weight of the patient
Purpose
To require 911 operators to ask callers for the approximate height and weight of the patient.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends subdivision 4 of section 328 of the county law by adding a new paragraph (c) providing that all 911 operators who receive an emergency call are required to ask the caller for the approximate height and weight of the patient, when practicable, and give that infor- mation to the fire or emergency service dispatcher. In the event the 911 operator transfers the call prior to receiving the height and weight of the patient, the fire or emergency service dispatcher shall ask for the approximate height and weight of the patient, when practicable.
Section 2 amends the administrative code of the city of New York by adding a new section 14155 reflecting the same.
Section 3 provides this act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Existing law
New Law
Justification
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, nearly two thirds of U.S. adults are overweight, and one third are obese. Overweight and obesity are known risk factors for numerous illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, breathing problems and some forms of cancer. As a result, overweight people have greater health care needs than the general population.
This legislation will require emergency response personnel to take into consideration the size of patients to better serve their needs, includ- ing the kind of equipment and number of responders that will be neces- sary.
Legislative history
01/27/16 REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT:
Fiscal implications
None
Local fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.