EMS Workers From Across The Country Join NYC Coronavirus Fight

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — A "cavalry" of EMTs and paramedics stationed at Fort Totten in Bayside will help New York City's first responders tackle record numbers of 911 calls amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanks to a partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 250 additional ambulances and 500 EMTs and paramedics from across the country will be dispatched to respond to the city's "unprecedented" number of emergency medical calls.

"The cavalry keeps coming. We're getting help from all over the country," Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday. ""What it's going to allow us to do is save every life we can."

There are heroes among us!@NYCMayor visited Fort Totten in Bayside to thank New York City’s courageous EMTs and paramedics — and welcome some much needed reinforcements. From Kalamazoo to Florida, ambulances and EMS workers are arriving to support our teams and save lives. pic.twitter.com/8yAWUZpj9m
— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) April 2, 2020

Calls to the FDNY's emergency medical workers have increased 50 percent compared to the agency's normal daily call volume, according to a Fire Department spokesperson.

“Our EMTs and Paramedics are facing an unprecedented number of medical calls each day," Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro said. "There has never been a busier time in the history of EMS in New York City."

The FDNY urges New Yorkers to only call 911 for a true medical emergency. Others who are sick should stay at home and call their doctor, or call 311 for help connecting with a doctor. For more information visit the NYC Department of Health website.

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On Tuesday, March 31, @nycmayor de Blasio, #FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro, @nycemergencymanagement Commissioner Deanne Criswell and @fema Region II Administrator Tom Von Essen announced a partnership between FEMA and the City to bring 250 more ambulances and approximately 500 more EMTs and paramedics to New York City. These resources will help the City increase capacity for medical transport in between medical sites and assist the FDNY with responding to a record number of medical calls. These ambulances come fully staffed by paramedics and EMTs from around the country.⁣⁣ ⁣ Commissioner Nigro met with the EMTs and paramedics at Fort Totten in Queens, and thanked them for joining us on the front lines in the city’s response to COVID-19. EMS has been responding to a record number of medical emergencies each day – a 50 percent increase over normal daily call volume. FDNY urges New Yorkers to only call 911 if is a true medical emergency. Those who are sick should call a doctor, and can call 311 for help getting connected with a doctor.⁣⁣ ⁣ For more information on how to help keep you and your fellow New Yorkers healthy during this time, visit nyc.gov/coronavirus and text COVID to 692-692 for updates from NYC Emergency Management.
A post shared by FDNY (@fdny) on Mar 31, 2020 at 9:23am PDT

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