The Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps (TVAC) is an independent, volunteer, non-profit organization that has been providing emergency ambulance service to the Township of Teaneck and its residents since 1939. In 2001, 126 of your friends and neighbors responded to 3,463 calls--an average of nearly 10 calls per day--for help, including heart attacks, strokes, seizures, car accidents, pedestrians struck, falls and fires. Included in this count are 347 instances of two calls at the same time and 25 instances of three or more calls at the same time. Each year TVAC is one of the biggest and busiest volunteer ambulance corps in New Jersey and 2001 was no different from previous years.

On May 22, 2001, TVAC was honored by the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services out of over 400 ambulance and rescue squads as the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Volunteer Service of the Year. While other towns have begun to pay for ambulance service or offer their volunteers lucrative stipends and incentives, TVAC remains a 100% volunteer organization. For the last 63 years, none of our members have ever received a payment or stipend for any services rendered. Other towns allow volunteers to respond from home to emergencies; TVAC members serve their weekly duty shift at our headquarters on Windsor Road, drastically reducing the number of minutes it takes an ambulance to reach you in an emergency. Because of this, initial calls were answered immediately by an on-duty crew 89% of the time.

On March 5,2001 TVAC members mobilized for the blizzard that never materialized. 34 members provided staffing for three ambulances over a 43 hour period. Although the call volume during that time was less than anticipated, TVAC was prepared to deal with anything Mother Nature threw in our direction.

On May 11, 2001 a TV AC crew used cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation to revive a patient whose heart had stopped beating. The 54-year-old male patient was driving with his family along Teaneck Road when he suddenly became unconscious. The TVAC crew restored his heartbeat, transported him to Holy Name Hospital, and he is still alive today.

In August 2001 TVAC took delivery of a new ambulance. This 2001 Freightliner chassis medium-duty truck is replacing a 1992 Ford light-duty ambulance. The larger truck provides us with extra space for equipment, more room to work, is more reliable mechanically, and produces a smoother ride than the older truck. This new ambulance was purchased by TVAC and was funded by donations from residents of Teaneck.

On September 5, 2001 TVAC assisted residents of Classic Residence to return to their apartments after a smoke condition in the building. TVAC members helped treat residents during the smoke condition and worked with the Teaneck Fire Department to carry 14 residents upstairs due to the elevator being out of service.

On September 11, 2001 some TVAC members responded to Ground Zero to provide EMS support while many other members maintained staffing at our headquarters to ensure ambulance coverage in Teaneck and Bergen County. Within one hour of the incident 18 volunteers were on duty at our headquarters and 56 members spent time there over the following 72 hours. Many local businesses donated food to us during that time in appreciation of our volunteers. Although we all hope we never have to face that situation again, TVAC members used all their training and knowledge that day to help make sense out of a chaotic situation.

On November 11, 2001 TVAC responded to a mutual aid call in the City of Hackensack for an unconscious woman. During the course of that call, the woman's heart stopped beating but the TVAC crew was able to resuscitate her using CPR. TVAC responds into Hackensack often, as requested by the Hackensack Fire Department.

In 2001, several of our members celebrated important milestones: On May 23, 2001 Moshe Hirsh received the EMS Excellence award from Hackensack University Medical Center in recognition for his contributions to TVAC over the last five years. Moshe has served as the training coordinator for probationary members, lieutenant in charge of supplies, and has responded to over 2500 calls. On December 18, 2001, Ray Barishansky received the Walter Pinches Memorial Leadership Award for his role as a leader during his 12 years of membership. The award is named for former TVAC Life Member Walter Pinches, who passed away from cancer in 1995. Also during December 2001, Jamie Elkin responded to her 2,500th call, a milestone she reached in just six years. In addition to being one of TVAC's top responders, Jamie is currently serving as our Treasurer.

TVAC also participates in many community activities. On April 24, 2001 TVAC provided ambulance coverage during the first annual Teaneck Family Run, a 5k run which benefited TVAC and Tomorrow's Children Fund.