NEW YORK — Lenox Hill Hospital, a member of Northwell Health, today, unveiled New York City’s first hospital-based environmentally-friendly ambulance designed to help reduce air pollution and noise, as well as decrease our carbon footprint.
Its state-of-the-art technology allows the “green” ambulance to function without having to idle its engine, which will significantly decrease emissions and air pollution. The ambulance was funded by the New York City Council.
Currently, New York City ambulances must idle continuously to maintain a steady temperature for the vital medications carried onboard and to ensure the onboard computer systems are charged in order to maintain communication.
“We are proud to be Manhattan’s first hospital with an environmentally friendly ambulance in its fleet,” said Dennis Connors, Executive Director of Lenox Hill Hospital. “As a hospital, we are committed to keeping the community we serve healthy and to reducing our carbon footprint. Our new ambulance is just one step we are taking to honor that commitment.”
The ambulance has two separate systems to reduce the idling. The first, a stealth auxiliary power unit, enables the ambulance to be shut down while parked and also serves as an additional backup electric power unit. The second, a MOVE charging system, allows the ambulance to be plugged in at dedicated charging stations which will be installed at Lenox Hill Hospital at 100 East 77th Street and at Lenox Health Greenwich Village located at 30 7th Ave. Additional MOVE charging stations will be placed at various locations throughout Manhattan.
“Cutting down on vehicle idling time is an important part of meeting our carbon reduction goals, and I applaud Lenox Hill Hospital for taking the lead and demonstrating that our ambulances can be primed and ready to go with less impact on the environment,” said New York City Council member Dan Garodnick. “I am proud that we were able to fund a creative solution to this continuing problem.”
Lenox Hill Hospital has made significant strides in its green practices including reducing its energy and water use and investing in sustainable technologies in heating, cooling, transportation and lighting. It also houses New York City’s only hospital rooftop garden — “Victory Greens” — an organic and edible garden featuring a variety of herbs, greens, flowers and medicinal plants which are used in the hospital cafeteria and in patient meals. In addition, Lenox Health Greenwich Village is certified as a Silver LEED building by the US Green Council.