AMR gets whopping $10M Inauguration Day deal for ambulances and emergency personnel post Capitol riots: Report
Ahead of the inauguration of former Vice President Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States, the federal government has reportedly inked a multi-million dollar deal with American Medical Response (AMR) to provide emergency services for the day. The news of the deal comes as tensions rise as Inauguration Day draws near and the US Capitol went into lockdown with no entry or exit permitted amid external security threats. The abundance of caution came about after a fire broke out during the rehearsal for Inauguration Day.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has long worked with AMR, having used its services of ground ambulance, air ambulance, paratransit services, and medical personnel to supplement the federal and military response to a disaster, act of terrorism, or other public health emergencies. The services can also be used for federal events. AMR had been awarded the contract since its inception in 2007. The contract is rebid every five years.
This will not be AMR's first time providing services for a presidential inauguration, having first done so in 2009 when Barack Obama took the oath to become the first African-American President of the country. Since then, AMR services have been deployed by FEMA for hurricane relief during the hurricanes Irma, Florence, Michael, Sandy, and more.
The value of the contract for the 2021 Inauguration Day is almost $10 million, according to TMZ. The contract is valid from January 16 and will stay in place until Monday, January 25. The exact terms of the services including the number of ambulances and emergency personnel remain unclear.
Security preparations for Inauguration Day
The extreme caution comes after pro-Trump rioters stormed into the US Capitol building on January 6 as Congress members convened to certify the results of the 2020 presidential elections which saw Biden emerge victoriously. Capitol police briefly lost control of the crowd that stormed into the building as Congress members took shelter. The FBI is currently tracking, arresting, and charging those who were members of the riots.
The FBI has also warned that similar activities are being planned for Inauguration Day, with some QAnon members and "lone wolves" even discussing infiltrating the National Guard. So far, roughly 25,000 National Guard members have been sanctioned to be stationed at DC during Biden's inauguration.
Additionally, thousands of local law enforcement officials from different states will provide back up to DC police and Capitol police. Hundreds of FBI agents are also expected to be on the ground during inauguration activities, according to Fox News. Maryann Tierney, a regional administrator, told the publication that FEMA has also deployed resources to DC and surrounding areas in Maryland and Virginia. Ambulances will be located close to the Capitol, and food and water sources will also be brought in closer to the district if they are needed.
A perimeter has been erected through downtown DC, with barriers put up around the White House, the National Mall, and the Capitol. Those who intend to travel through the perimeter will need to provide proof of essential purpose. The National Mall will be closed until after the inauguration and permits for gathering have been suspended, except in two designated areas: the Navy Memorial and John Marshall Park.