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Q&A

Lee questions Be Heard geographic coverage and vehicle timeline

New York City Council · Jun 1, 2026 · starts 4:31:14 · 1 min 28 sec

Lee asks about Be Heard ambulances in FY32 capital plan and geographic coverage. Miano says current vehicles are fairly new, and the program currently covers four boroughs (not Staten Island). Kristoff notes conversations about expansion are ongoing.

Linda Lee

And the capital plan includes $1.1 million for 20 Type 2 ambulances for Be Heard in FY32.

Linda Lee

Why is that vehicle acquisition so far out in the plan, and are there current Be Heard units adequate in the interim?

Paul Miano

The B-Herd unit has received, the ambulances in the B-Herd unit, or the vehicles that they use, are custom for B-Herd, and they are fairly new.

Paul Miano

So without knowing the exact cycle of replacement, the ones that they are in are not.

Paul Miano

They're not very old ambulances or vehicles.

Linda Lee

Okay, which is, you know, basically why you're saying it's probably that far out in FY32, because the current vehicles are adequate?

Paul Miano

Yeah.

Linda Lee

Okay.

Linda Lee

And then just in terms of the geographic coverage, does the funding in the executive budget bring the program to a point where it can operate in all five boroughs on a 24-7 basis?

Lizette Kristoff

So there is additional funding in the out years, as you mentioned.

Lizette Kristoff

The funding does grow.

Lizette Kristoff

We're currently in conversations with our interagency partners about potential expansion plans going forward.

Linda Lee

Okay, and how many boroughs does it currently cover?

Linda Lee

Is it all five right now?

Lizette Kristoff

Four.

Paul Miano

It's four right now.

Linda Lee

Okay.

Paul Miano

What's the one?

Paul Miano

Staten Island.

Linda Lee

Oh.

Linda Lee

Okay, we've got to figure that one out, too.