LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Smith-
field Eaton Volunteer Ambulance Corp.

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 20th Anniversary of the Smithfield Eaton Volunteer Ambulance
Corp. to be celebrated on September 17, 2016; and
WHEREAS, It all began with a demonstrated need and an idea to preserve
the continuity of delivery of pre-hospital emergent care in the Morris-
ville-Smithfield community in January of 1996; a group of concerned
citizens lead by Margaret Brody and Jeff Mitchell presented what they
thought would be a good solution to the Village Board meeting in Febru-
ary of 1996; and
WHEREAS, Not only did they intend to start a rescue squad but they
already had a list of 35 people who had pledged their help; the rescue
squad was to be named SEVAC and a Board of Directors soon emerged to
take on the planning and administrative duties; and
WHEREAS, The founding Board of Directors included: Paul Schiffer,
Esther Way, Anthony Zazzara, Karen Gay, Elaine Gray, Sue Polisse, and
James McFarland; and
WHEREAS, Many events soon followed in rapid successions with the dedi-
cated help of many to make this dream a reality; the work had begun on
the very important Certificate of Need with Margaret Brody and Terri
Gallerani as the main players; and
WHEREAS, Clarence Holbert fronted a significant monetary gift promise
so the financial viability could be assured to qualify for the Certif-
icate of Need; the Village of Morrisville leased the ambulance to SEVAC
for the sum of one dollar and the Fire Department sold them the equip-
ment to start; again Clarence Holbert stepped up to buy their first
radio so the squad could communicate with the hospitals; and
WHEREAS, The Village donated a place in the Village Barn for the ambu-
lance and Jim Dutcher donated a trailer to house the crew; with the
ambulance and crew ready, SEVAC's first call was answered on August 1,
1996; and
WHEREAS, The first crew was composed of Fred Brooks, Marty Eiholzer,
Jeff Mitchell and Kathy Parker; the following winter was quite cold and
with the help of a donated space heater, the crews were kept in meager
comfort; the drugs were carried in the ambulance and had to be kept in a
refrigerator so they would not freeze; and
WHEREAS, SEVAC soon outgrew the crew facilities and set about to build
a bigger place; a fund drive was undertaken and letters were sent out by
Connie Shepard, Margaret Brody and Catherine Holbert to nearly everyone
in the community explaining their plight and asking for help; the
response was quite heartening; and
WHEREAS, The SEVAC barn was becoming a reality; many members and
members of the community contributed their time and talents to finish
the interior of the "pole barn"; after one of the many more application
processes, SEVAC was granted a Certificate of Occupancy and moved into
their brand new home; and
WHEREAS, All of the individuals involved with SEVAC, past and present,
are deserving of the highest commendation for their contributions to the
noble missions of this life-saving 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 20th Anniversary of the Smithfield Eaton Volunteer Ambu-
lance Corp.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Smithfield Eaton Volunteer Ambulance Corp.