Westchester County Executive George Latimer presented proclamations to the Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corp. (OVAC) and the Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corp. (SVAC) for their efforts in helping to keep the community safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Latimer said: “Both of these organizations stepped up to the plate, going above and beyond to administer testing and vaccines, oftentimes putting their own health at risk. The men and women who make up the Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corp and Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corp represent humanity as its best and define community to its core.”
Westchester County Department of Emergency Services Richard Wishnie said: “The COVID-19 pandemic that wreaked havoc on our health care systems around the world, there were many examples of heroism, as individuals and institutions performed with extraordinary dedication and professionalism. Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corp and Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corp are a model of dedicated service to their fellow citizens under extremely difficult circumstances and without concern for their own health and safety. They truly are healthcare heroes!”
Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corp Chief Nick Franzoso said: “I am so proud of the dedication of our career and volunteer members who went beyond the call of duty to provide critical vaccines and testing to the community.
Without them – our work is truly not possible. We are honored to be a key partner with Westchester County in keeping people safe as we look toward turning the page on this pandemic.”
Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corp President David Raizen said: “I couldn't be more proud of the effort put forward by our staff and volunteers. There is no doubt this pandemic has been challenging for emergency services. But we got to see some of the positives that came from something so negative. We saw the coming together of a community as we provided critical testing that was hard to find and ran efficient vaccine clinics that were easy to access. I'm proud of all we have accomplished as a team. And while none of us do this tough work for the praise, we are most grateful for the recognition by Westchester County.
Both agencies were certified by the State Department of Health to administer vaccines and testing to the community in public settings including their facilities and schools. The agencies also administered inoculations and tests to homebound residents. To date, the Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corp. have administered more than ten thousand vaccines and more eight thousand tests. The Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corp. have given roughly two thousand six hundred vaccines with more than twelve thousand tests.