Just some random thoughts. If you remove EMS from FDNY but really don’t change the number of EMS personnel on the streets and number of staffed units on the street, the new third party EMS will still look to FDNY to carry part of the load as they do now and perhaps look for them to do more (the rediculous thought of CFR ladder companies). If FDNY is going to be a significant part of the EMS delivery system, much better to be in control than having another agency dictate your role in their delivery system. Secondly, although there will always be people looking to pass through EMS to Fire as long as the gate is open, there are many EMTs and paramedics who can’t or don’t want to do fire in the tri state area. If the city paid a much better salary, and reduced some of the workload via the addition is some more staffed units, you would actually increase retention and decrease turnover. As the turnover slows, more “EMS only” personnel actually slow down the available slots for those looking to pass through to fire. This further decreases turnover and brings about significant savings in the monies used to train new EMTs and Paramedics. Just my opinion.