Boston City Council Scrutinizes $86.8 Million EMS Budget and Opioid Spending

BOSTON — May 8, 2025 — Boston City Council hears $86.8 million EMS budget request and opioid settlement spending plan at Ways and Means hearing. Council Member Brian Worrell chaired the May 8 hearing, joined by six council colleagues, as Boston EMS Chief James Hooley reported that the department responded to more than 140,000 clinical incidents in 2024, resulting in 93,774 transports, and hired 98 uniformed personnel last year — a 36 percent increase — while cutting non-retirement attrition by 35 percent. Hooley said nearly half of the $86.8 million operating budget is offset by patient transport revenue. BPHC officials confirmed the city has received roughly $12 million of a projected $40-million-plus opioid settlement fund running through 2039, with grants flowing to five Nubian Square community organizations and a family overdose support fund providing up to $5,000 per bereaved family. Public commenters affiliated with SEIU Local 888 warned that roughly half of 170 BPHC chapter members earn less than $60,000 annually, and advocates for the Boston People's Response non-police mental health model demanded $4 million in budget support after an RFI to identify an operating organization drew no applicants.