LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Bay Ridge Ambulance Volunteer Organ-
ization upon the occasion of its 35th Anniversary

WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in this Nation, and the great
State of New York, is reflective of the purposeful lives and good works
of those civic-minded community members who dedicate their lives and
careers to the service of others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those organizations within the State of New York which
provide vital emergency medical services to the community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the
Bay Ridge Ambulance Volunteer Organization upon the occasion of its 35th
Anniversary; and
WHEREAS, The largest volunteer ambulance service in the State of New
York that serves one community, the Bay Ridge Ambulance Volunteer Organ-
ization, or BRAVO as it is more commonly known, was founded in 1974 to
provide fast, free emergency care to the residents of the Bay Ridge,
Dyker Heights and Fort Hamilton regions of Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, The first official meeting of the Bay Ridge Ambulance Volun-
teer Organization was held January 24, 1974 at St. Anselm's Church and
there were over 103 membership applications that were accepted; it offi-
cially responded to its first call on July 4, 1974, and began 24-hour
service on August 18, 1974; and
WHEREAS, The Bay Ridge Ambulance Volunteer Organization needed operat-
ing quarters and soon found a vacant space adjacent to the Seergy Club;
the headquarters were dedicated on September 28, 1974, and since that
time, the building has been purchased and remodeled; and
WHEREAS, A leader and role model in advanced services in both New York
State and many other parts of the country, the Bay Ridge Ambulance
Volunteer Organization volunteers were chosen to be among the first
advanced emergency medical technicians, AEMT-P (paramedics), in 1977,
and received training under Dr. Richard Seigel at Flushing Hospital; and
WHEREAS, In 1986, the Bay Ridge Ambulance Volunteer Organization was
chosen to pilot the Emergency Medical Technician - Defibrillation
Program, which is now used by emergency services throughout the State
and Country, and had its first of many saves using the semi-automatic
defibrillator in 1987; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the Bay Ridge Ambulance Volunteer Organization
EMT's currently receive ongoing training in aircraft disaster response,
weapons of mass destruction and biological warfare response in and
around New York City; and
WHEREAS, With their skills and professionalism, members of the Bay
Ridge Ambulance Volunteer Organization are routinely used by New York
City EMS at mass casualty incidents, including the plane crash at Kenne-
dy Airport in 1977, the Century 21 collapse in 1990, the World Trade
Center Bombing in 1993 and the terrorist attacks at the World Trade
Center in 2001; and
WHEREAS, As part of recruiting new members, the Bay Ridge Ambulance
Volunteer Organization started the BRAVO Youth Squad for teenagers
between 14 and 18 years old; through training, they are prepared to join
the senior squad and work on the ambulances; and
WHEREAS, A community-based organization, the Bay Ridge Ambulance
Volunteer Organization is made up entirely of volunteers who live, own
businesses or work in the region; the members have created a social
support system, bringing the group together by organizing bowling leag-
ues, picnics, baseball, karate, and holiday parties; and

WHEREAS, An important part of the safety net of America's healthcare
system, volunteer ambulance corps members provide lifesaving care to
those in need, 24 hours a day, seven days a week; access to quality
emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of
those who experience sudden illness or injury; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body cannot express sufficient gratitude to
those devoted individuals who recognize that the preservation of life is
a sacred responsibility and who make that responsibility their own by
serving as volunteer ambulance corps members; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that we should give
special recognition to those who work so assiduously for the betterment
of their communities, and acknowledge publicly the heroic good works
performed by the volunteer ambulance corps of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Bay Ridge Ambulance Volunteer Organization upon the occasion
of its 35th Anniversary, fully confident that it will continue to enjoy
the sparkling success which has so characterized its past; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Bay Ridge Ambulance Volunteer Organization.