The White House Coronavirus Task Force has continually touted the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) response, particularly in the New York City metro area, which is the epicenter of the Wuhan coronavirus.
New York City Councilman Joe Borelli (R) shared a video of FEMA and the Fire Department of the City of New York's (FDNY) efforts to get ambulances to the Big Apple.
"We have ambulances from all over the country here to serve New Yorkers," Borelli said, referencing the Fort Totten area of Queens that is being used as the main hub for ambulances. "We know that our FDNY EMTs are not only regularly short-staffed but there's about 15 to 20 percent of them out sick right now."
According to Borelli, almost every state in the country has sent ambulances and EMTs to New York City to help with the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak.
"We see ambulances from pretty much every region in the country," he said. "New Yorkers should not be alarmed if they see ambulances they don't recognize. If you see somebody serving from out-of-state, make sure you at least buy them a sandwich or recommend a great restaurant while they're here. And, of course, thank them."
Important info for #NYC
— Joe Borelli (@JoeBorelliNYC) March 31, 2020
You’re about to see many ambulances from around the country here to supplement ours.
It is part of tremendous efforts by the @FDNY & @femaregion2 @fema
Be sure to thank our guests who came to help! ???? ?? #COVID19 #NYCLockdown #FirstResponders pic.twitter.com/lBhkN47DF6
Borelli also delivered thousands of masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) to EMTs who are on the front lines.
Honored to drop off thousands of masks & supplies to FDNY EMTs local 2507, the folks on the front lines of this epidemic. Thank you to Gary Kong for making this tremendous donation. pic.twitter.com/KhnWYXhBPe
— Joe Borelli (@JoeBorelliNYC) March 31, 2020