Nation’s EMS workers head to Fort Totten to reinforce NYC first responders

Hundreds of emergency medical services workers from around the country have arrived at Fort Totten to reinforce the city’s overburdened workforce. Photo via FDNY

By David Brand and Rachel Vick

More than 200 ambulances carrying hundreds of EMS workers have arrived at Fort Totten in Bay Terrace to reinforce the city’s beleaguered first responders as a record-high number of 911 calls strain resources and staff. 

The EMS workers traveled from as far as Colorado, Arkansas and Tennessee to help New York City stem the COVID-19 outbreak, said Michael Greco, vice president of Local 2507, the union that represents New York City’s EMS workers.

“It’s a good feeling to be there and actually see how eager they are,” Greco told the Eagle Tuesday. “To know we are experiencing record call volumes for the eighth day in a row and to see the support from the rest of the country is heartening.”

Emergency medical service workers and firefighters have been responding to more than 6,000 calls per day — at least third more than on a typical day. There were 6,010 calls Tuesday and 6,527 on Monday, according to the FDNY.

At the same time, however, roughly 20 percent of EMS workers are calling out sick because of the coronavirus, he said. 

“To know that reinforcements are coming from all over the country is great,” Greco said. “It’s nice to see the country is stepping up.”

About 50 ambulances, or “buses” in first-responder parlance, were dispatched from Fort Totten on Monday, he said. The union and the city hoped to put about 150 on the street throughout Tuesday and Wednesday, he added.

The city’s fire commissioner, Daniel Nigro, on Tuesday announced a partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to bring 250 additional ambulances and 500 new EMTs and paramedics to the city. 

“There has never been a busier time in the history of EMS in New York City,” Nigro said.