A New York City father is demanding answers after his 24-year-old son, Nick Costello, suffered a fatal cardiac arrest in the Bronx while multiple ambulances sat idle just down the block.
Costello collapsed at 5:08 a.m. in December 2023 while at a friend’s apartment. Despite a 911 call and upgraded priority status, it took nearly 20 minutes for paramedics to arrive, while at least 10 ambulances remained unused at a nearby fire scene.
911 Call and Delayed EMS Response
Costello’s friend, Emily Levy, called 911 in desperation.
“He just passed out. You need to get here now,” Levy told the dispatcher.
Levy’s mother suggested an asthma attack, as Costello turned blue. The dispatcher upgraded the case to cardiac arrest and instructed friends to begin CPR.
“We’re not very certified in CPR, sir. Can you walk us through it?” one of Costello’s friends asked.
The dispatcher searched for nearby EMS crews, but no units appeared available in the system. In reality, multiple ambulances were less than 500 feet away at the fire scene, with paramedics on standby and no patients to treat.
“They had the people that could’ve saved Nick,” Costello’s father, Tyler Weaver, said. “Their bureaucracy and procedures didn’t allow that help to be sent.”
A Preventable Tragedy?
The average ambulance response time for a life-threatening emergency in 2022 was 7.5 minutes. However, Costello waited 19 minutes for help to arrive from across town.
“Watching the literal life leave his eyes,” Levy recalled.
When paramedics finally arrived, they rushed Costello to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Why Were Nearby Paramedics Not Dispatched?
Weaver later discovered the multiple available EMS units stationed nearby. He filed a complaint with the FDNY, seeking answers as to why those ambulances were not redirected.
“If they were informed that there was a cardiac arrest happening behind them, I have no doubt that they would’ve helped,” Weaver said.
The FDNY declined to answer questions from both the family and CBS News New York. Instead, a spokesperson issued a brief statement:
“We are saddened by the passing of Nicholas Costello. Reducing response times is critically important to the FDNY. We are constantly evaluating our procedures and technology to ensure our members can respond as quickly and as safely as possible.”
Internal Investigation and FDNY Response
Following Weaver’s complaint, an internal investigation found that dispatchers followed all current policies and procedures. However, investigators recommended changes, including:
- Allowing fire scene paramedics to be redirected to life-threatening medical emergencies when needed.
CBS News New York asked whether the FDNY has implemented any changes, but the department did not respond.
Systemic Issues and Outdated Dispatch Technology
New York City Councilmember Joann Ariola, chair of the Fire and Emergency Management Committee, said the FDNY’s dispatch system must be modernized.
“The current system does not allow dispatchers to take offline ambulances and put them back on,” Ariola explained.
When asked if dispatch could have contacted the idle ambulances, Ariola confirmed:
“Correct, because the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system would not allow it.”
The FDNY’s current CAD system is over 30 years old, and although a replacement is in progress, no timeline has been provided.
Staffing Issues and EMS Coverage Concerns
Oren Barzilay, president of the FDNY/EMS union, cited staffing shortages as a major issue, noting that crews were required to stay on standby at the fire scene.
“At a major fire, a floor can collapse, a roof can collapse,” Barzilay explained, adding that more ambulances are needed to cover both fire emergencies and medical crises.
While one patient was treated on scene at the fire, Costello’s father believes his son was also a victim of the incident, stating that smoke from the fire triggered his fatal asthma attack.
Calls for Change
Weaver continues to push for policy and technology upgrades, arguing that his son’s death was preventable.
With the FDNY facing mounting criticism, officials must decide how to reform emergency response protocols to prevent similar tragedies.
For now, grieving families like the Weavers are left with unanswered questions—and the hope that their loved one’s death leads to life-saving changes.
