Volunteer members continue to be welcomed, receive EMS training
The Wantagh-Levittown Volunteer Ambulance Corps (WLVAC) is in its 56th year of service to the Levittown and surrounding communities this month. The organization was founded in 1956 by Homer K. Moore, a local plumber, who wanted to provide a free ambulance service to residents.
In 1981 WLVAC began providing Advanced Life Support through the 911 emergency response systems. This enabled WLVAC to begin treating critical injuries and medical emergencies with state-of-the-art life-saving equipment and techniques in addition to continued ambulance services.
WLVAC responds from its headquarters at 129 Balsam Lane (adjoining the ambulance garage on Hempstead Turnpike) with in-house crews, which enables the team to guarantee fully-trained assistance with what WLVAC boasts, “one of the fastest response times in the county.”
WLVAC is a nonprofit ambulance corps. None of its members receive monetary compensation, nor funding from state, county, or town entities. WLVAC relies solely on donations from the community and health insurance payments from patients served. WLVAC does not bill its patients, even if a patient does not have health insurance.
The organization is made up of a board of trustees and chiefs of operation, and 120 volunteer members.
WLVAC is always seeking new volunteer members. To qualify for service a cadet member must be 13 years of age, a senior member must be 18 years of age or better. Members receive six months of training, in addition to a probation program. Training is also provided for senior members to become state certified and to become licensed EMS technicians.
“We are proud of what we do but are mindful that we could not succeed without the support of the community,” said Ken Granelli, WLVAC member.
“We want to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to all of those who have donated so generously throughout the years,” Granelli said on behalf of WLVAC and its members. “It has been a wonderful partnership that I believe Homer K. Moore would approve of.”
The organization continues to reach credentials, certifications, and milestones. In June 1998 WLVAC earned the prestigious New York State Certification; and in 2009 WLVAC was recognized as Nassau County EMS Agency of the Year.
In addition to providing emergency services, WLVAC continues to provide non-emergency transports to and from local hospitals for residents living within the Wantagh-Levittown fire districts.
Emergency service hours are 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling (516) 742-3300. To arrange a non-emergency transport, for more information about WLVAC or about volunteering call (516) 520-3103 and leave a message.
Ken Granelli contributed to this article.
