The Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps (TVAC) is an independent, volunteer, non-profit organization that has been providing emergency ambulance service to the Township of Teaneck and its residents since 1939. In 2001, 126 of your friends and neighbors responded to 3463 calls--an average of nearly 10 calls per day--for help, including heart attacks, strokes, seizures, car accidents, pedestrians struck, falls and fires. Included in this count are 347 instances of two calls at the same time and 25 instances of three or more calls at the same time. Each year TVAC is one of the biggest and busiest volunteer ambulance corps in New Jersey and 2001 was no different from previous years.

On May 22, 2001, TVAC was honored by the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services out of over 400 ambulance and rescue squads as the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Volunteer Service of the Year. While other towns have begun to pay for ambulance service or offer their volunteers lucrative stipends and incentives, TVAC remains a 100% volunteer organization. For the last 63 years, none of our members has ever received a payment or stipend for any services rendered. Other towns allow volunteers to respond from home to emergencies; TVAC members serve their weekly duty shift at our headquarters on Windsor Road, drastically reducing the number of minutes it takes an ambulance to reach you in an emergency. Because of this, initial calls were answered immediately by an on-duty crew 89% of the time.

On March 5, 2001 TVAC members mobilized for the blizzard that never materialized. 34 members provided staffing for three ambulances over a 43 hour period. Although the call volume during that time was less than anticipated, TVAC was prepared to deal with anything Mother Nature threw in our direction.

On May 11, 2001 a TVAC crew used cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation to revive a patient whose heart had stopped beating. The 54-year-old male patient was driving with his family along Teaneck Road when he suddenly became unconscious. The TVAC crew restored his heartbeat, transported him to Holy Name Hospital, and he is still alive today.

On July 19, 2001 TVAC crews responded to 15 emergency calls in one 24 hour period, including 2 instances of 3 calls at the same time and 1 instance of 2 calls at the same time. Although none of these calls was particularly 'out of the ordinary', it shows how busy TVAC can be and the great challenge of keeping volunteers on duty 24 hours per day 7 days each week.

In August 2001 TVAC took delivery of a new ambulance. This 2001 Freightliner chassis medium-duty truck is replacing a 1992 Ford light-duty ambulance. The larger truck provides us with extra space for equipment, more room to work, is more reliable mechanically, and produces a smoother ride than the older truck. This new ambulance was purchased by TVAC and was funded by donations from residents of Teaneck.

On September 5, 2001 TVAC assisted residents of Classic Residence to return to their apartments after a smoke condition in the building. TVAC members helped treat and calm residents during the smoke condition and worked with the Teaneck Fire Department to carry 14 residents upstairs due to the elevator being out of service.

On September 11, 2001 some TVAC members responded to Ground Zero to provide EMS support while many other members maintained staffing at our headquarters to ensure ambulance coverage in Teaneck and Bergen County. Within one hour of the incident 18 volunteers were on duty at our headquarters and 56 members spent time there over the following 72 hours. Many local businesses donated food to us during that time in appreciation of our volunteers. Although we all hope we never have to face that situation again, TVAC members used all their training and knowledge that day to help make sense out of a chaotic situation.

On November 11, 2001 TVAC was requested to a mutual aid call in the City of Hackensack for an unconscious woman. During the course of that call the woman's heart stopped beating but the TVAC crew was able to resuscitate her using CPR. TVAC responds into Hackensack often, as requested by the Hackensack Fire Department.

In 2001 several of our members celebrated important milestones: On May 23, 2001 Moshe Hirsh received the EMS Excellence award from Hackensack University Medical Center in recognition for his contributions to TVAC over the last five years. Moshe has served as the training coordinator for probationary members, lieutenant in charge of supplies, and has responded on over 2500 calls. On December 18, 2001, Ray Barishansky received the Walter Pinches Memorial Leadership Award for his role as a leader during his 12 years of membership. The award is named for former TVAC Life Member Walter Pinches, who passed away from cancer in 1995. Also during December 2001, Jamie Elkin responded on her 2500th call, a milestone she reached in just six years. In addition to being one of TVAC's top responders, Jamie is currently serving as our Treasurer.

In addition to providing emergency ambulance service, TVAC participates in many community activities. On April 24, 2001 TVAC provided ambulance coverage during the first annual Teaneck Family Run, a 5k run which benefited TVAC and Tomorrow's Children Fund. Although the race started and ended in Votee Park, the course ran through town and required TVAC members to be posted strategically along the route. In addition, a crowd of several hundred was present in the park during that time. On August 8, 2001 TVAC participated in National Night Out at Votee Park. In addition to committing resources to a presentation table and a DWI drill in the park, TVAC responded to 5 other emergency calls during the evening. On October 15, 2001 TVAC held its annual blood drive, in association with Community Blood Services. 122 people came to donate blood that day in memory of three TVAC life members: Rabbi Stanley Fisch, police captain Walter Pinches, and Mr. Bill Shambroom. On December 31, 2001 TVAC participated in the Parade of Heroes as part of First Night festivities and was honored by the Teaneck Cultural Arts Coalition for standing ready every day to help residents in times of need.

On November 13, 2001 the Township Council adopted a resolution committing the Township of Teaneck to participate in a program paid for by the State of New Jersey which allows a TVAC member, their spouse or dependent children to receive tuition credit at certain state educational institutions. 2 TVAC members have already taken advantage of this program; in return for a 4-year commitment to remaining a member of TVAC they are receiving tuition credit at Bergen Community College.

There are four important ways you can help us:

· JOIN US! We will cover the cost of your Emergency Medical Technician training and provide you with additional in-house hands-on training to improve your competence and confidence as a health care provider.
· SUPPORT US FINANCIALLY, as TVAC relies on voluntary donations from Teaneck residents to continue to operate. Donate in memory of a loved one or in honor of one of the milestones we celebrated last year, or donate funds toward a specific piece of equipment.
· Many of you would like to help us but do not have the time to complete the necessary training or commit four hours every week. BECOME AN ASSOCIATE MEMBER and donate your expertise in an administrative capacity. Give as much or as little of your time as you can, and much of this work can be done from home or over the telephone. Specific areas of need include, but are not limited to, fundraising, grantwriting, community and public relations, legal advice, filing, and inventory.
· HELP US GET TO YOU WHEN YOU NEED US! Call for us as soon as your emergency occurs, even if it in the middle of the night. Make sure your address is clearly posted and that the front of your home is well lit. Provide the dispatcher with as much detail as possible about the emergency. If you are driving and you see an ambulance or a car with a flashing blue light behind you please pull to the side of the road and stop.

State law restricts the amount of money a town can give to its volunteer ambulance corps. Although we do not pay salaries, we have all the same other expenses as any business, including insurance, training, supplies, ambulance maintenance, and building maintenance. For more information about how you can help TVAC please call 201-837-2600 and ask to be connected to the ambulance corps or send email to kevie@teaneckvac.org.