Queens Borough President Donovan Richards helped cut the ribbon on the FDNY’s new EMS Station 49 in Astoria Tuesday morning.
Acting Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said the new state-of-the-art facility at 19-40 42nd St. will allow emergency medical technicians and paramedics to serve Astoria and surrounding communities in western Queens.
“Station 49 is essential to our department’s operations and to the health and safety of all Queens residents,” Kavanagh said. “The brave and dedicated men and women who serve in Station 49 as EMRs, paramedics and officers deserve this new home because they provide outstanding emergency and pre-hospital care 24/7 to their patients.”
The new 26,000-square-foot station includes 12 ambulance bays in the apparatus storage area; 150 lockers and storage areas for personal protective equipment; and supplies for basic and advanced life support. The station also includes offices for the lieutenants and station captain, a conference room for station meetings and training, a kitchen and dining area for EMS members and a lactation room for personnel who are nursing mothers.
The new facility replaces the temporary quarters of Station 49, which opened in 2014 at 25-03 Hoyt Avenue South, located under the Triborough Bridge.
“EMS Station 49 has had to relocate several times over the last few years, but our EMTs never stopped saving lives,” Richards said. “Today, we celebrate their new home in Astoria and celebrate these frontline healthcare heroes for the work they do every single day on behalf of our borough, especially the heroism and selflessness they have shown throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.”
EMS Station 49 will be staffed by more than 120 FDNY EMTs and paramedics and will run 28 ambulance tours each day. Construction on the $4 million project began in early 2020 and continued throughout the pandemic.
“It is not every day we get to open a new EMS station, but it is a lucky day,” Kavanagh said addressing the station’s personnel. “I know members here will use this space well and continue to offer these communities the exemplary medical service the FDNY is known for. I wish you well in your new home. You are, of course, the station’s most important feature. I know you will serve from Station 49 proudly, and continue to demonstrate exceptional dedication to this community, and I look forward to hearing good things.”
Acting Chief of Department John Hodgens was on hand to take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“Whenever I come to a new facility — the thought that always comes to my mind is all the outstanding, heroic work that will be done there by our members,” Hodgens said. “FDNY EMTs and paramedics perform incredible acts each day — and for the members of Station 49 that will begin right here at the start of their tours.”
