FEMA sends 25 ambulances, paramedic crews to NC to aid in pandemic response
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has sent 25 advanced life support ambulances to North Carolina to help nine counties where EMS systems have been overwhelmed trying to respond to the pandemic, officials said Monday.
Each ambulance is staffed by a two-member crew.
"These ambulances and crews will provide necessary relief to our extremely busy EMS systems,” state Emergency Management Director Will Ray said in a statement. “While it’s not the full complement we requested, we know medical resources are extremely limited across the nation right now, and we are grateful for this assistance from our federal partners.”
North Carolina had requested 40 Advanced Life Support and 10 Basic Life Support ambulances and crews from FEMA.
Two of the ambulances will be stationed in Franklin County, and three others will be in Robeson County. The remainder will be dispersed as follows:
- Five in Mecklenburg County
- Four in New Hanover County
- Three in Guilford County
- Two each in Brunswick, Graham, Macon and Pender counties
The ambulance crews will remain in the counties for 10 days. Then, needs will be re-evaluated to see if changes are needed.
