Hospitals and EMS workers nationwide are struggling to keep up with the influx of patients with COVID-19. As the pandemic continues to surge in New Jersey, help has arrived.
While the virus affects nearly the entire country, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has sent ambulances and volunteers to New Jersey to help the state’s healthcare systems cope with the ongoing outbreak. The new recruits come from bordering states that answered the call for more first responders.
The ambulances and volunteers gathered at the staging ground near MetLife Stadium outside the field hospital at the Secaucus Meadowlands. Chief of Operations at McCabe Ambulance Service Mike McCabe was on the scene to receive the ambulances as part of the NJ EMS Task Force.
McCabe serves as the Hudson County Office of Emergency Management EMS Coordinator. In his official capacity, McCabe welcomed the new units upon arrival at MetLife on April 10 at 10 a.m. The 75 vehicles were ordered through the state agency to assist New Jersey in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ambulances will operate in Hudson County municipalities to help ease the strain on first responders. According to McCabe, 23 of the 75 ambulances will serve residents across the county.
Reinforcements needed
Gov. Phil Murphy welcomed the much-needed help at a pivotal time, because the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 is expected to peak soon.
“Yesterday, a total of 78 ambulances and EMS squads from states across the country – carrying 139 EMTs and 56 paramedics – came to assist our local teams,” Murphy said on April 11. “We all have each other’s backs. To those who have come from afar to help us, we will return the favor in your time of need.”
The ambulances and volunteers gathered at the staging ground near MetLife Stadium outside the field hospital at the Secaucus Meadowlands.
Despite the anticipated surge and need for more ambulances and first responders, Murphy struck an optimistic tone saying new numbers show hope.
According to Murphy, more than 700 residents previously hospitalized for COVID-19 have been discharged as of April 15.
“Good news: Between 10 p.m. Monday and 10 p.m. last night, 709 New Jerseyans were discharged from our hospitals,” Murphy said. “These recoveries bring us hope and strength as we continue our war against COVID-19.”
As of April 15, 92 residents in Bayonne have recovered from the virus.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.
