Queens, NY – Today, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Fresh Meadows) released a letter addressed to New York State Department of Health Commissioner Howard A. Zucker urging the agency to approve the ambulance license request of Chasdei Devorah d/b/a Ezras Nashim, New York’s first and only women’s EMT group.

“I commend Ezras Nashim for the culturally appropriate emergency care they provide to women across New York City,” said Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. “By training women EMTs and providing medical care, they provide an invaluable service and should be allowed to expand their operations. I urge Commissioner Zucker and the Executive Director of Operations for the

Regional EMS Council of NYC to approve the Ezras Nashim ambulance request.”

Leah Levine, Director of Outreach and Development of Ezras Nashim said: “At Ezras Nashim we constantly strive to make the world a better place by helping as many people as we can. To that end, we hope our ambulance request is approved to allow us to have quicker response rates in the Borough Park area. We are extremely grateful to the FDNY and the many elected officials who have offered support.”

The group, which has previously received the EMS Agency of the Year Award from the Regional EMS Council of New York City, trains women to be EMTs and provides medical services to women in Borough Park, Midwood, Crown Heights, Midtown Manhattan, the Five Towns, and Monsey. The group currently operates with 40 certified EMTs with 25 in the training process.

The full text of the letter can be found below.

Dear Commissioner Zucker:

I am writing to voice my strong support for Chasdei Devorah d/b/a Ezras Nashim, New York’s first women-only EMT group. The culturally appropriate emergency care they provide to women in the Jewish community is invaluable and should be recognized for its impact. Since its launch in 2011, Ezras Nashim has expanded to offer care in Borough Park, Midwood, and Crown Heights. In 2013, the State of New York approved their request to provide medical care in the community. It has previously received the EMS Agency of the Year Award from the Regional EMS Council of New York City.

As you know, Ezras Nashim recently requested a Certificate of Need in order to operate an ambulance within a two-square mile area of Borough Park to serve Orthodox women. It currently operates with 40 certified EMTs with 25 in the training process. Its service provides women with dignified emergency health care particularly in a population that has religious and cultural sensitivities and needs. This organization of fully trained EMTs strives to assist as many women as possible, and a license to operate would further this goal.

In this time of ever-increasing demand and strain on medical care services, the City should look to augment services wherever and whenever possible. I urge you to move expeditiously and approve their ambulance license request. Thank you for your attention to this matter.