Helping a Corps principle

But Manor’s VAC could use help itself

 By Luca Larizzati | Manor Ink

Livingston Manor, NY – A man running in a race falls and goes into cardiac arrest. An EMT springs into action and resuscitates the man using the defibrillator on board the ambulance.

The man who saved the runner’s life is Ralph Bressler, and he’s a volunteer EMT with the Volunteer Ambulance Corps of Livingston Manor. Mr. Bressler has been an EMT, or emergency medical technician, for 35 years.

“I like to help people,” Ralph explained. “The usual patient who calls 911 surprisingly isn’t seriously hurt. A typical patient is someone who is not feeling well and can’t get a ride to the hospital.”

Sometimes there can be something more serious, and there are corresponding levels of service for those situations. For example, “Level 1” provides basic life support, which is the type of service provided by the Manor’s VAC. If a call comes in for something more serious, the Corps will call in Mobile Medic from Liberty, and they can send paramedics who are trained at “Level 4.”

“No one gets paid,” said Ralph. But what he does get is smiles and a thank you. “That’s all I need.”

Chris Tuleweit, the current secretary for the VAC, served as an EMT with the Corps for six years. After that, he transitioned to serve as a driver after deciding not to renew his certification. He also volunteers as the current Fire Chief for Livingston Manor, which also requires regular training. “I want to serve my community,” said Mr. Tuleweit.

The VAC owns two ambulances. One is a 2011 vehicle with 16,600 miles on it, and the other is a 2017 model with 14,000 miles. An average ambulance call takes about two hours, and the Corps receives about eight calls per week, amounting to approximately 200 per year. There are four EMTs and 10 drivers available to respond to emergencies or provide stand-by service.

Ralph explained that there is an arrangement among ambulance services in Sullivan County to cover for each other when needed. “It’s called ‘mutual aid’,” Ralph said. Roscoe pays two people to go on ambulance calls. Mobile Medic in Liberty has six vehicles and an all-paid paramedic staff.

The incident with the runner in cardiac arrest occurred during the Cadence & Craft half-marathon race last year. The Ambulance Corps sends volunteers to stand by for the race event in case someone needs their service.

Corporate officers this year are Pete Feinberg, President; Michael Valentine, Vice President; Chris Tuleweit, Secretary; and Debra Feinberg, Treasurer.

Line officers are Joel Sherwood, Captain; Scott Hollenbeck, Lieutenant; and Susan Sherwood, Sergeant. Meetings are third Tuesdays of the month.

Ralph stressed that the VAC does not charge families for ambulance support. “We will get paid by insurance, if you have it. And providing transports is typically paid for by Medicare, when planned in advance.” The VAC supplements these funds with an annual fund drive.

President Pete Feinberg expressed a need for additional VAC volunteers. “If you are 18 years or over and interested in joining the Ambulance Corps of Livingston Manor, call us at 439-4150 or come by our monthly meeting on the third Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at our building at 98 Main Street. We especially need people willing to step up to the plate and put in the hours to become an EMT at this point. The course is free if you become a member of the Ambulance Corps of Livingston Manor.”