Tedisco: Governor Signs Bill so Police & Firefighters Can Carry EpiPens to Help Save Lives

Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C,I,REF-Glenville) today announced that the Governor has signed into law public safety legislation he authored and introduced last year to save lives by enabling police officers and firefighters to carry EpiPens to treat people with severe allergic reactions in an emergency. 

Epinephrine injectors, also known as “EpiPens,” are used to reverse the effects of severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis from bee stings, drug reactions, food allergies or exercise-induced shock.

The list of authorized individuals under New York State law who can administer an EpiPen currently includes EMTs, children’s overnight camp and summer day camp employees, staff at public and private schools, as well as employees who work at sports and entertainment venues, amusement parks, restaurants, youth organizations and sports leagues, daycare facilities and retail establishments.  Law enforcement and firefighters, who are often the first emergency responders on the scene, are currently not allowed under the law to administer EpiPens.  

Senator Tedisco’s bi-partisan legislation, S.3247A, closes this dangerous loophole and permits law enforcement officers outside of New York City to carry and administer EpiPens. Tedisco originally authored and introduced the bill last year (S.9153A of 2018) after Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo and the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office brought the concern to the Senator that law enforcement were not allowed to carry EpiPens. Tedisco’s further research found that firefighters also were not permitted to carry the emergency devices. 

“When emergencies happen, seconds count. Our police officers and firefighters are often the first on the scene when someone dials 911 due to a life-threatening allergic reaction, so it makes imminent sense to enable our highly-trained members of law enforcement and firefighters the ability to carry EpiPens and help save lives,” said Senator Jim Tedisco. “I want to thank Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo and the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office for bringing this issue to my attention. I hope this very important public safety law can prevent a tragedy from occurring.”

“Life threatening allergic reactions can occur at any time. Allowing law enforcement officers to carry and administer EpiPens will further our ability to save lives through rapid intervention when it matters most. I want to thank Senator Tedisco for listening to my office’s concerns and working with us to author and champion this legislation to help save lives,” said Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo.

The bi-partisan measure also was sponsored by Senator Julia Salazar (D-Brooklyn) and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan).