Dallas, TX — American Medical Response (AMR) activated the National Command Center (NATCOM) in Dallas, deployed nearly one thousand paramedics and EMTs along with 350 ambulances and 125 paratransit vehicles, in response to the federal government’s request for EMS deployment for Hurricane Michael. Prior to Hurricane Michael making landfall, AMR’s local Florida and Lifeguard operations also deployed dozens of crews to assist the state with pre-landfall evacuations at the request of the State of Florida.

“Responding to catastrophic hurricanes like Michael is what our teams and providers do very well,” said Ted Van Horne, AMR President and CEO. “We partner with numerous EMS agencies to respond when our nation calls us in to help. AMR’s national scope allows us to secure whatever is needed, including appropriate personnel, vehicles, aircraft, logistics and supplies to respond quickly. This often occurs within 24-48 hours because time is critical during these disasters. This hurricane has already been very destructive and it still has a way to go. We were prepared to mobilize and move in to start helping people in need.”

AMR’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) activated NATCOM on October 10 and is working with its own local operations as well as EMS providers around the country to deploy resources, including crews, vehicles and supplies for Hurricane Michael response efforts. AMR operations from across the United States are also sending crews and ambulances along with additional medical supplies. “We are fortunate to be able to send some of AMR’s local assets – including personnel and equipment – to assist the communities in the path of Hurricane Michael,” said Van Horne. “It is important to know that sending these resources does not affect our ability to provide timely medical response for all the communities we serve.”

To prepare for Hurricane Michael, AMR began sending ambulances and crews as close to the storm as was safe. Incident Command teams were mobilized to create forward operating base setups. At this point, all teams and vehicles are deploying to Stone Mountain, GA.

As the nation’s largest provider of medical transportation and FEMA’s prime emergency medical service response provider, AMR has a national agreement with FEMA to provide ground ambulance, air ambulance, paratransit services and non-ambulance EMS personnel to supplement the Federal and Military response to a disaster, an act of terrorism or any other public health emergency.

AMR is the primary medical ground transportation leg of its parent company, Global Medical Response (GMR).

Van Horne said he anticipates the crews will be on a 7-14 day activation, but that can change as the situation changes. The crews will stay in the area as long as they are needed. When the crews arrive at their assigned area, they will be working under the guidance of FEMA, State and local EMS agencies.