GMR To Deploy More Teams to States Dealing with COVID-19 Case Surge
1.6.2022
The Company’s frontline first responders and sub-contracted network providers are now responding to additional requests from the Federal Government in New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
Just days after the U.S. reported a record 1 million new daily COVID-19 infections, Global Medical Response (GMR) is once again responding to a request for aid from the Federal Government to send medical teams to states facing record case surges. GMR has deployed paramedics, EMTS and support personnel to provide much needed relief to hospitals and EMS systems in New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. This marks the third major deployment since December 20, 2021, and the second deployment of resources to New York state. GMR is sending more than 90 ground ambulance teams and command staff personnel from its ground division – American Medical Response (AMR) – in addition to participating network providers to hard-hit communities throughout New York, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.
GMR Chief Operating Officer Ted Van Horne said that the surge in infections because of the Omicron variant is staggering but that the company remains prepared to respond to additional requests for aid from the Federal Government. “The steep rise in COVID-19 infections that we are seeing as a result of the Omicron variant are reminiscent of what our nation saw just two years ago at the onset of the pandemic,” said Van Horne. “As cases continue to rise dramatically across the nation, our teams remain prepared to respond to additional requests for aid at a moment’s notice as they have done since March 2020.”
Teams deployed in New York and North Carolina are on 30-day activations. Teams responding to Pennsylvania will be activated for 10-12 days. Deployment timeframes can change as the situation evolves. Deployed teams will stay in the areas as long as they are needed. When they arrive at their assigned destinations, the caregivers will work under the guidance of FEMA, state, and local EMS agencies.
GMR is now supporting FEMA operations in seven states. Beginning in mid-December, the organization has activated 123 ambulances and 449 EMS and command staff personnel to areas experiencing spikes in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations.
Van Horne added that the deployments do not affect GMR’s or the other EMS providers’ ability to meet the needs of patients in their home communities. GMR air and ground teams continue to provide emergency and non-emergency transports to tens of thousands of patients nationwide.
AMR has a national agreement with FEMA to provide ground ambulance, air ambulance, paratransit services and non-ambulance EMS personnel to supplement federal and military response to a disaster, act of terrorism or other public health emergency.
“GMR teams prepare for emergency responses around the country with year-round training exercises, and storing equipment and vehicles in strategic locations,” Van Horne said. “This preparation enables the company to respond quickly, usually within 36-48 hours’ notice.”
GMR Chief Operating Officer Ted Van Horne said that the surge in infections because of the Omicron variant is staggering but that the company remains prepared to respond to additional requests for aid from the Federal Government. “The steep rise in COVID-19 infections that we are seeing as a result of the Omicron variant are reminiscent of what our nation saw just two years ago at the onset of the pandemic,” said Van Horne. “As cases continue to rise dramatically across the nation, our teams remain prepared to respond to additional requests for aid at a moment’s notice as they have done since March 2020.”
Teams deployed in New York and North Carolina are on 30-day activations. Teams responding to Pennsylvania will be activated for 10-12 days. Deployment timeframes can change as the situation evolves. Deployed teams will stay in the areas as long as they are needed. When they arrive at their assigned destinations, the caregivers will work under the guidance of FEMA, state, and local EMS agencies.
GMR is now supporting FEMA operations in seven states. Beginning in mid-December, the organization has activated 123 ambulances and 449 EMS and command staff personnel to areas experiencing spikes in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations.
Van Horne added that the deployments do not affect GMR’s or the other EMS providers’ ability to meet the needs of patients in their home communities. GMR air and ground teams continue to provide emergency and non-emergency transports to tens of thousands of patients nationwide.
AMR has a national agreement with FEMA to provide ground ambulance, air ambulance, paratransit services and non-ambulance EMS personnel to supplement federal and military response to a disaster, act of terrorism or other public health emergency.
“GMR teams prepare for emergency responses around the country with year-round training exercises, and storing equipment and vehicles in strategic locations,” Van Horne said. “This preparation enables the company to respond quickly, usually within 36-48 hours’ notice.”
