Politics & Government

Orangetown Honors EMS Workers

The Orangetown Town Board honored local EMS workers at its regular meeting Tuesday.

The Orangetown Town Board proclaimed May 15-21 EMS Week in front of members of the South Orangetown Ambulance Corps and Pearl River Ambulance Corps during Tuesday's regular meeting.

"We are very grateful for the contribution they (EMS workers) make to our community," Orangetown Supervisor Paul Whalen said.

Councilman Denis Troy said his own age helps him to appreciate the services of emergency medical service workers in town.

Find out what's happening in Pearl Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I have had the Pearl River Ambulance Corps take care of me twice," Troy said. "My mother is in Thorpe Village. We also have Courtwood (senior housing). The South Orangetown Ambulance Corps is there all the time. They do a tremendous job.  It's a safety net for our senior citizens, but also for all of our citizens. The fact that they are volunteers and they go through so much training, they have such a level of expertise, it's a tremendous asset for our town."

"Aside from the expertise and technology, you have some of the most compassionate and thoughtful volunteers that I know, which is especially important," Councilman Michael Maturo said. "They know this community like no other. They know us at our weakest and most vulnerable. Special thanks to all of the emergency workers all across Orangetown."

Find out what's happening in Pearl Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Members of the South Orangetown Ambulance Corps demonstrated their techniques, including a Lucas 2 Chest Compression device, which is meant to assist in administering CPR.

Bob Rahnfeldt spoke of the origins of the Pearl River Ambulance Corps, which was first inspired by an accident on Washington Avenue in 1936.

"Four mothers were seriously injured," Rahnfeldt said. "The high school association started collecting funds to get an ambulance 75 years ago this month. We have maintained this service since the inception in 1936. In 1937, the ambulance became incorporated and it was the first volunteer ambulance corps in the state of New York. Not only is Orangetown rich in history,  but the Pearl River Ambulance Corps is rich in history, too."


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