Warwick celebrates EMS week

Warwick - The Warwick Volunteer Ambulance Corps is celebrating EMS Week starting this Sunday through May 20, capping the week with a celebration for its members. Members will visit area elementary schools and talk about the emergency first aid, and demonstrate equipment they use on the corps’ three ambulances. Founded in 1942, the corps has 50 members and 30 members in its Junior Corps. The WVAC is a regular participant in community events, from Little League parades, fire department carnivals, AppleFest, the Lions’ Club 5-K race and other events in the Town and Village of Warwick. WVAC members have been recognized as one of the top volunteer ambulance corps in the region as well as one of the most professional volunteer ambulance agencies in Orange County by regional and state accrediting groups. “Warwick Volunteer Ambulance members are available to aid our neighbors 24-7-365. Our community is blessed with the dedication and professionalism of our members,” said president Julie Desrats. “The corps also thanks our community every day for its support of the corps.” The corps also offers the Katherine A. Ball Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 to a graduating senior who has been accepted into a college, trade or technical school leading to a career in health care or emergency services. The student must live in the Warwick Volunteer Ambulance Corps’ district or be a member of the Warwick Ambulance Junior Corps. The deadline is June 1. The scholarship is a tribute to Kathy Ball. She was a 17-year member of the Warwick Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and was its president when she lost her fight with cancer. Scholarship applications are available at high school guidance offices, or on the Web site at www.warwickems.com, or call 986-4136. WVAC also offers free blood pressure testing on the first Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to noon at its bay on South Street Extension. The next free blood pressure testing is June 3.