Public Employee Press

Richard McAllan, 58, fought for EMS workers and patients

Richard McAllan, a former president of Uniformed EMTs and Paramedics Local 2507, died March 26 at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. A dedicated and passionate activist on behalf of EMS workers and patients, he was 58.

McAllan began his career with the Emergency Medical Service in 1973 and graduated from the city’s first Paramedic class in 1974. Within a year co-workers elected him the local’s first secretary-treasurer; he served as local president from 1987 to 1990.

“I respected and admired him,” said Local 2507 President Pat Bahnken. “Richard McAllan was a strong defender of the rights of working men and women who never backed away from a fight and never compromised on his principles.”

McAllan had a flair for the sensational, and convinced the media to expose the bad working conditions and broken-down vehicles that threatened New Yorkers’ lives by causing slow ambulance response times.

McAllan forced the city to continue using civil service exams for Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic jobs, constantly battled to increase EMS funding and fought politicians’ attempts to contract out ambulance services to private companies.

“He was a fearless, tireless advocate for EMS,” said Tom Eppinger, president of Uniformed EMS Officers Local 3621. McAllan was known for filing lawsuits against every mayor from Ed Koch to Michael Bloomberg.

Recently he was actively supporting the fight of 135 Stella D’oro workers who have been on strike since August 2008.

Richard McAllan grew up near Asbury Park, New Jersey, and lived in the Marble Hill section of Manhattan. Two brothers, Skitch and Bob, and his mother, Grace, survive him.