LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Valhal-
la Volunteer Ambulance Corps on May 7, 2011

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 rescue services; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 50th Anniversary of the Valhalla Volunteer Ambulance Corps on
Saturday, May 7, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Volunteer ambulance corps are an important part of the safety
net of America's healthcare system; they provide lifesaving care to
those in need, 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and
WHEREAS, Access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the
survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or
injury; and
WHEREAS, On July 23, 1961, the Valhalla Volunteer Ambulance Corps
began operation; with a volunteer staff of 23 members, they provided
service to approximately 1,500 families at no charge, 24 hours each day;
and
WHEREAS, For its first 29 years of operation, Valhalla Volunteer Ambu-
lance Corps relied solely on the generous contributions from the commu-
nity it served as well as contributions of labor, materials and time to
maintain its operation, but they quickly outgrew their first facility;
and
WHEREAS, In February of 1964, they began to construct a new ambulance
garage on Davis Avenue by salvaging materials from a local nursery that
was being dismantled; and
WHEREAS, In 1965, Valhalla Volunteer Ambulance Corps was able to order
its first new ambulance; by 1976, a certified emergency medical techni-
cian was on-board for every call; and
WHEREAS, In 1977, Valhalla Volunteer Ambulance Corps began to outgrow
their headquarters and once again, with the help of many dedicated
volunteers, including a local architect who donated plans and a contrac-
tor who donated his expertise and equipment, they were able to construct
a new facility; in the fall of 1983, construction of their current head-
quarters on Westlake Drive was complete; and
WHEREAS, Each and every member involved with the Valhalla Volunteer
Ambulance Corps, past and present, is deserving of the highest commenda-
tion for their contributions to the noble mission of this lifesaving
organization; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Valhalla Volunteer Ambulance
Corps; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Valhalla Volunteer Ambulance Corps.