History

A desperate need

Around 1975, a group of regular park-goers realized that there was a specific need for emergency medical assistance within Central Park. They were concerned about the fact that many New York City ambulance crews had insufficient knowledge of Park geography. New York’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system was already stretched to the limit, often resulting in long waits (45 to 90 minutes) for an ambulance to arrive at the scene of an injury in the Park.

This group - which included Dean Esserman, Jonathan Fram, John Schwartz, Michael Ussak, Arthur Funn, Dorothy Marks, Brian Donnelly, James Finley, Robert Glassbunn, Paul Saccento, and Frederick H. Kingsbury III - decided Central Park needed its own emergency medical service with Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) who had an intimate knowledge of the Park and its surrounding areas. These concerned New Yorkers took their idea to the Central Park Precinct Community Council and with the council’s sponsorship, formed the “Central Park Medical Rescue.”

Humble Beginnings 

The Central Park Medical Rescue Squad was primarily a first response unit that consisted of approximately twenty volunteers, a few personal bicycles and a retrofitted Ford van used to transport crews and equipment. Later a stretcher was added to the van to allow for transport of patients when city EMS was not available. This vehicle was a used Police van from the Central Park Precinct. It was purchased with funds from the founding volunteers.

In 1976, the Central Park Medical Rescue Squad purchased a heavily used 1972 Chevy Type II ambulance from Lenox Hill Hospital. This allowed CPMU to become a full fledged, transporting emergency medical unit.

In 1979, the rescue squad incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation and was renamed the “Central Park Medical Unit.”

Chase Manhattan Bank donated a new Type II ambulance in 1983. This ambulance would be known as bus 3.

Increasing demand Meets financial struggles

In the early 1990s, Bus 3 was on its last legs. Volunteers were using their personal funds to pay for maintenance and insurance. The Unit was in danger declaring bankruptcy. Appeals were made wide and far for support but little was found. CPMU’s young president, Rafael Castellanos met Mayor Dinkins in a chance encounter on Central Park South and asked for help. Mayor Dinkins referred him to the Parks Department. The Parks Department at the time did not have any funds but made an introduction to the Central Parks Conservancy. The Conservancy introduced CPMU to two important donors that would save CPMU from the brink of Bankruptcy.

In 1993, Bus 3 was replaced by a larger, Horton Type III ambulance donated by the Pfizer Corporation and American Home Products. Bus 4 had two paint jobs throughout its life. The first paint scheme had two large darker blue stripes. Later this was replaced by a two thin lighter blue stripes.

In 1995, a permanent First Aid Station was established at the Wollman Skating Rink in the south end of the park. CPMU leased and then purchased a second Horton Type III ambulance in 1996 to meet the increasing need for emergency medical services resulting from the rise in popularity of in-line skating, ice skating and more frequent special events held in Central Park.

Bus 4 in on 72nd Street in Central Park and Bus 4 being washed in East Harlem in the 1990s with the original paint job.

In 1995 for our 20th Anniversary, March 27, 1995 was proclaimed CPMU day by the Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

Bus 5, also known as the Red Bus, was a leased to own 1983 used ambulance. It was known as the Red Bus because unlike all other CPMU ambulances, it was painted red when it was acquired. No funds were available to repaint it. There aren’t any known photos of the Red Bus in our archives. It was ruined during the 9/11 response.

Click here to learn more about CPMU’s response on September 11 2001.

After the loss of Bus 5 during 9/11, Manhattan Borough President C Virginia Fields secured funds for Bus 6 in 2002. It was painted with a special memorial livery.

Bus 7 was donated by the Allen B Klein, Foundation. Allen Klein managed the Beatles in the late 1960s and founded ABKCO Records.

Fire

Bus 8 was donated by the Freed Foundation. Bus 8 along with Bus 7 were both destroyed by a fire in November of 2014. Shortly after the fire, a crowd funding campaign - combined with generous offers to loan CPMU ambulances allowed our operations to continue.

After the fire

In the aftermath of that destruction we received donations for two new ambulances. These ambulances are the vehicles that make up CPMU’s fleet today. Bus 9 was donated by the Edward H. Beneson Foundation in honor of Edward who drove an ambulance during WWII. Funds for Bus 10 were raised by Doug Blonsky - President of the Central Park Conservancy - after seeing the need to have the park covered. Bus 11 was donated by the estate of humanitarian Brennon Jones shortly after we received bus 9 and 10.

Major disaster responses

CPMU has responded to every major disaster to strike NYC over the last 50 years. From 9/11 to Hurricane Sandy, to COVID-19 CPMU has always been there for NY. Help make sure we always will be.

Consider donating today. 

Learn more about CPMU's major disaster responses.

CPMU Today

CPMU now boasts a fleet of four state of the art custom ambulances, an all terrain vehicle, an emergency response fly car, and a fleet of emergency response bikes. Our staff of volunteers consists of more than 150 diverse and compassionate volunteers whose backgrounds range from professional EMTs, paramedics, nurses and doctors to business executives, attorneys and active and retired law enforcement personnel, to name a few. CPMU has no paid staff. Our volunteer members have an intensive and expert knowledge of Central Park’s geography which allows us to provide swift and expert care in Central Park with one of the fastest response times in New York State.

Join us in celebrating half a century of history and service at our 50th Anniversary Celebration.

For more details click here.