Senate Resolution No. 378

BY: Senator BONACIC

COMMENDING the Pine Island Volunteer Ambulance
Corps, Inc. upon the occasion of celebrating its
40th Anniversary

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to 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
commend the Pine Island Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc. upon the
occasion of celebrating its 40th Anniversary; this auspicious occasion
was held on Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Polish Legion of American
Veterans, Pine Island, New York; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1976 with 35 charter members, the Pine Island
Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc. (PIVAC) serves the hamlet of Pine Island
in the Town of Warwick in Orange County, New York; and

WHEREAS, PIVAC's first bay was Amity Firehouse from June of 1976 to
January of 1977, and its first ambulance was bought from Warwick
Volunteer Ambulance Corps for one dollar in October of 1976; and

WHEREAS, The second bay was between the T.S. Purta Funeral Home and
Pulaski Firehouse, and was donated by Teddy Purta; PIVAC's second rig, a
1979 Ford Super Van, went into service in November of 1979; and

WHEREAS, Groundbreaking for the second and present bay was held on
March 27, 1983; PIVAC moved into its new and present quarters in July of
1983; and

WHEREAS, PIVAC has proudly provided Emergency Medical Services to
the community for 40 years; from the days of simple First Aid in the
back of an ambulance to the most modern sophistication of today's
Advanced Life Support, this extraordinary organization responds to calls
for EMS assistance whenever needed; and

WHEREAS, This vital organization handles hundreds of calls per year,
everything from football game standbys to broken arms to severe trauma
in traffic accidents to full cardiac arrest; and

WHEREAS, Under the leadership of current President Kelly Lee Pikul,
PIVAC is made up of dedicated volunteers who forsake precious time with
family and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need;
these exceptional individuals heroically perform, above and beyond the
call of duty, those responsibilities which define the task of emergency
medical service; and

WHEREAS, All members of the Pine Island Volunteer Ambulance Corps,
Inc., past and present, merit the highest commendation for their
contributions to the noble mission of this life-saving organization;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Pine Island Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc., upon the
occasion of celebrating its 40th Anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Kelly Lee Pikul, President, Pine Island Volunteer
Ambulance Corps, Inc.