40% of Union Ambulance Staff Have Covid Symptoms, FEMA to Help

With nearly half of its staff out due to Covid-19, the Union Volunteer Emergency Squad is getting assistance from the federal government.

Two ambulances are being provided under a Federal Emergency Management Agency program to respond to UVES calls.

According to the squad, more than 40% of its staff became symptomatic over the last few days.

UVES requested help from FEMA ambulance teams to support crews who aren't sick.

A Union Volunteer Emergency Squad station in Johnson City on January 26, 2022. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Raymond Serowik, Broome County emergency medical services coordinator, said the FEMA paramedics will be used to cover the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. shifts.

People may see a different-looking ambulance from out-of-town when they call for assistance.

Serowik said two ambulances from a Texas-based company were used in Broome County last week as part of the FEMA program.

Two ambulances from Texas-based Medical Jets in the town of Chenango on January 16, 2022. (Photo provided to WNBF News)

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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