Editor's note: Find Firehouse.com's complete coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic here.
The FDNY has added 100 ambulances to its fleet through several leasing deals to address the dramatic increase in EMS call volume during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The department announced the massive influx of emergency medical units in social media posts on Tuesday, saying it had obtained 81 ambulances from Wheeled Coach - REV Group in Winter Park, FL, and 19 units from Braun Ambulance's South Carolina location.
"The ambulances have arrived in New York City, and will be deployed into service as EMTs and paramedics continue to respond to New Yorkers in need," the FDNY said. "The COVID-19 pandemic has been the busiest period in the history of EMS, with call volume increasing by 50% daily at the height of the pandemic."
As of Tuesday afternoon, the New York City Department of Health's official counts related to the coronavirus in the Big Apple were over 171,000 cases, 13,724 confirmed deaths and 5,383 probable deaths.
