SEE IT: Ambulances From Across The Country Leave Fort Totten

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — Dozens of EMS workers from across the country got a parting salute Thursday as they departed Fort Totten, where they'd been stationed for two months to help New York City's first responders deal with a record number of emergency medical calls in the thralls of the coronavirus pandemic.

A national ambulance contract for the out-of-state units is up May 31, according to FDNY officials. Of the 250 ambulances that arrived at Fort Totten at the end of March, about 80 remained as of Wednesday, Fire Department spokesperson Jim Long said.

Their departure signals a slowing in New York City's coronavirus crisis and clears the way for Fort Totten Park to reopen to the public.

City Council Member Paul Vallone last week pressed the Fire Department to reopen the park, so residents of northeastern Queens could have more space to follow social-distancing rules.

In response, the FDNY pledged to work with the city's parks department to reopen the park by June 1.

"The closure of the park has caused severe overcrowding at nearby Little Bay Park and the overcrowding is dangerous and makes social distancing impossible," Vallone wrote in a May 21 letter asking the FDNY to reopen the park. "Fort Totten is, as you know, sprawling and our residents would be much safer outdoors if this could be made available to them."

(Video and photo: Sherry Indycki, used with permission)