Res. No. 1268 Title Resolution calling upon the New York City Police Department, the New York City Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services to provide a salary differential to those members who have knowledge of a language other than English and who use their language skills in their employment duties. Body By Council Members Espada, Lopez, Freed, Perkins and Reed; also Council Members Linares, Robinson, Robles and Spigner Whereas, New York City is an extraordinarily diverse City, with hundreds of languages spoken within its borders; and Whereas, The City draws people from all parts of the globe as demonstrated by the increase in immigration to New York City over the past ten years; and Whereas, Many of those individuals who speak languages other than English use the services of the New York City Police Department ("NYPD"), the New York City Fire Department ("NYFD") and Emergency Medical Services ("EMS"); and Whereas, In those situations where a member of the NYPD, NYFD or EMS has knowledge of another language and uses that knowledge and skill in the course of his employment, such assistance is vitally important and, in some instances, may be life-saving; and Whereas, In recognition of the use of these important language skills by their members, the NYPD, NYFD and EMS should do all that is possible in collective bargaining negotiations to provide a salary differential to those members who use their language skills; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the New York City Police Department, the New York City Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services provide a salary differential to those members who have knowledge of a language other than English and who use their language skills in their employment duties. LS# 2719