EMT’s On the Subway? Nah.

The MTA is thinking about cutting a program that puts first aid workers in the subways.  They think by cutting the program, they can save a whopping $250,000 a year.  If you ask me, they could fire a few of the “captain obvious” system public address announcers and save about the same amount too.

From the Daily News:

For nearly a decade, medical professionals - first nurses and then emergency medical technicians - have been posted at some of the busiest stations to help ill travelers, remove them from trains as quickly as possible and clear traffic jams on the rails. EMTs now work at seven stations.

However, in the next breath, the MTA says that there are 430 medically related delays per month.  Doesn’t that sound like a lot?  So you actually want to cut the medical aid program?  Huh?

The thing is actually called the “Sick Passengers Response Program.” 

Ok, so we have all been screwed by the “Because of a sick passenger at _____ street, this train will be running _______ (not where you want to go).”  Now, if there’s no medical staff at the major stops, won’t it take longer to get these people help?  We all know that they aren’t going to do what they should do, and just dump the person on the platform, and keep going. 

Clearly, only a few stops have staffed EMTs now, so I would suggest adding MORE medical staffed stops.  That way they can get the sick people off the trains faster, and cut down on the 400+ monthly delays.