HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF MVVAC

Between the covers of yet unwritten book which might be titled, "From an idea to the first State Certified Volunteer Ambulance in Queens", lies the striking record depicting people, events, times, and places which reflect the achievements of the Middle Village Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc.

In the months that followed, meetings were held, behind the scene activities were numerous, and by September 1973, the Corps consisted of twenty-five members. WALTER CROWLEY, a local attorney, provided invaluable legal advice and service, free of charge, to the expanding organization. A charter was prepared and submitted to Albany for approval and received official endorsement in January 1974.

Money was needed, and in the cold of January, the "Canister Brigade" took to the streets to solicit donations for initial operating expenses. In February 1974, a store front was rented at 79-06 68th Road and 79th Street, and it became the first home of MVVAC.

Preparation of members in Emergency Care became an immediate priority as the Corps expanded. Hence, the Standard First Aid class was completed by members in January, Advanced First Aid in March, and Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation(CPR) class in April. Names of instructors fondly remembered are JOHN ROTH and ELAINE GRAFF. (Elaine later became a member of MVVAC).

EXPANSION:-- A new ambulance was purchased and put into service in November of 1974. (The OLDS was sold to a private ambulance company for $300--was that a profit?) Twenty-four hour service was established on weekends in November 1974.

In December, four MVVAC members--PAT KLOPER, TED MORTON, BRIAN RIBARSZIK, and JOSEPH MAGNUS completed Emergency Medical Technician training at SYOSSET HOSPITAL in Long Island. In the same month, first elections were held. The Executive Board consisted of GERARD S. BIANCHI, President; RICHARD HINRICHS, First Vice-President; ANGELO LAVENIA, Second Vice-President; AUGIE DESIMONE, Treasurer; PAT KLOPER, Recording Secretary; ANN MORRO, Financial Secretary. At the same time, an Advisory Board was elected and the following people served on the Board: CAROL PTAK, ALICE GRILLO, BRIAN RYBARSZIK, BILL CLARK and JOSEPH MAGNUS.

The New Year (1975) started with a Bash--the first installation Dinner-Dance at the SPARTAN RESTAURANT with its unique atmosphere and excellent cuisine on January 4, 1975. By Summer of that year, MVVAC could boast of 25 members trained as Emergency Medical Technicians. By the end of 1975, the Corps had responded to over 700 calls for help.

Increased membership, additional preparation of members to include thirteen First Aid instructors, two CPR instructors, highlighted the beginning of 1976. The need for additional space prompted the Corps move to new Headquarters on 69th Street and Caldwell Avenue.

Members of the Corps re-vamped, restructured and redecorated the rented space to provide several multi-purpose rooms for MVVAC activities.

The second Dinner-Dance and another fund raising campaign were reported for 1977. Another new ambulance was purchased in August of 1977 and was visibly and lovingly labeled RIG# 3.

Expansion, new ideas, youthful involvement, stimulated the organization of the MVVAC YOUTH SQUAD in February 1978. Teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18, were recruited for auxiliary services for the Corps. Juniper Valley Park was the site of MVVAC Accident Demonstration sponsored by MVVAC in June 1978. Representatives of Police, and Fire Departments, other Volunteer Ambulance Corps and local residents participated in this spectacular event.

New York State Volunteer Ambulance Convention in the Catskill saw MVVAC win a third place spot among 27 competitors, based on ambulance equipment and membership competence. A PROUD DAY INDEED-- Thanks to TIM NEVITT, STELLA CAIN and ARNOLD REINEN. In December 1978 more training--this time the completion of an Intravenous Therapy Program by five members of MVVAC at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.

The REAL MILESTONE was January 1979 when MVVAC was certified by The New York State Department of Health--the first Volunteer Ambulance in Queens.

April 1979, MVVAC membership was at 75; 4,000 responses to emergency calls; 64,000 road miles and not a single accident. A RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT INDEED.

Escalating rent and inadequate space continued to be perennial problems at the Corps Headquarters. The Executive Board and Membership agreed that it would be wise to look for a building which could serve as a permanent home. In 1983, after an extensive search, a building was located on Metropolitan Avenue, which was priced within our projected budget. It was what real estate people might call "a handyman special." Corps members were undaunted in their enthusiasm to bring the building to a respectable state of repair within a reasonable period of time. Many worked long hours fixing it up and redesigning the floor space to meet our expanding needs. It was with pride and pleasure that our new Headquarters at 79-04 Metropolitan Avenue was dedicated in May 1984-- one decade since inception.

Reaching milestones always provide us with an opportunity to pause and reflect on our achievements. Responding to our 10,000th call was indeed a milestone of note. On March 27, 1988, The New York Daily News and our local Queens papers carried feature articles reflecting this achievement. SAL BONAMICO, CHRIS UTANO, WALTER BRANZ, and DOUG MARRA, were pleased to have their photo included in the paper, as the crew who responded to the call.