NEW YORK, NY – A new internal policy from the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) is drawing criticism from within city emergency services after requiring that emergency medical reports for injured personnel include their home addresses rather than their work locations.
Under that report, cops will be forced to make their home address a matter of public record.
The directive, issued on September 16, 2025, by FDNY Chief of EMS Michael J. Fields, states that when an on-duty member is transported to a hospital for treatment, “the actual patient’s residence shall be utilized in the address portion of the PATIENT TAB” of the department’s electronic patient care record (ePCR). The memo explicitly prohibits the use of agency addresses such as 1 Police Plaza, 9 MetroTech Center, or any firehouse, EMS station, or other city facility.
The policy, labeled EMS OPS-25-09-08, replaces a previous order and establishes new documentation standards for line-of-duty (LOD) injuries and illnesses. It also clarifies that EMS crews cannot transport or document fellow members from their own units and that an additional ambulance must be requested for any such incidents.
Following the memo’s release, several NYPD and FDNY personnel expressed concern that the new rule could compromise privacy and safety, as first responders’ home addresses would now appear in official medical and administrative records that may be accessible for insurance, compensation, or legal review.
An NYPD EMS supervisor confirmed that, effective immediately, departmental addresses such as 1 Police Plaza or Lefrak City facilities will no longer be accepted for officers transported to hospitals for LOD incidents. The supervisor described the change as part of “new administrative policy” resulting from leadership transitions within the city’s emergency management and public safety agencies.
Union representatives are reportedly evaluating the policy and considering whether to formally challenge the directive, citing potential risks related to the disclosure of personal information and the privacy rights of city employees.
The FDNY has not issued a public statement regarding the change.
A new FDNY directive requiring the use of employees’ home addresses in hospital transport documentation has raised privacy concerns among first responders and prompted union review.
