Warwick Volunteer Ambulance Corps hosts dedication ceremony and open house

Warwick - The Warwick Ambulance Service dedicated five new pieces of equipment acquired over the past two years on Saturday, Nov. 10. Rev. Chris Yount, pastor of the Warwick United Methodist Church, performed the dedication ceremony at the Warwick Community Volunteer Ambulance Corps building at 146 South Street Extension. Ambulance Service personnel were on hand to answer all questions and to offer tours of the facility. Visitors were also invited to enjoy refreshments. The new equipment purchased by the Town of Warwick included a 2007 Horton Ford E-450 Type 1 ambulance, a 2005 Ford E-450 mass casualty support vehicle, a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe “fly car” command vehicle, a 2007 Polaris six wheel drive “special operations” all terrain vehicle, and a 2007 fully enclosed cargo trailer. The organization has also added several mountain bikes to its inventory. Following the blessing by Rev. Yount, Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton praised the volunteers for their valuable service to the community. Karen Kaytes then presented a check for $1,000 on behalf of Leo Kaytes Ford, Inc. to Warwick Community Volunteer Ambulance Corps Capt. Frank Cassanite. That afternoon the winning tickets for a raffle sponsored by the Ambulance Corps were drawn. The first prize, a 42-inch flat screen high definition TV was won by someone only identified on his ticket as “Sparky.” Bob and Sandy Sanford won the second prize of $500 and the third prize, an AM/FM - CD stereo was won by the Mazzella family. Although the primary mission of the Warwick Community Volunteer Ambulance Corps is to properly prepare and transport sick and injured people to a hospital, the organization also provides other services. It maintains, for example, a supply of shower benches, crutches and wheelchairs that can be loaned to residents in need. And volunteers and vehicles are always on hand at every major event. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) on board ambulances are qualified to take blood pressure, check vital signs, communicate with the hospital enroute and record medical history from a conscious patient. The Warwick Community Ambulance Service also participates in regional and state emergency exercises and offers First Aid training for the public. New volunteers are always welcome. “It’s an opportunity for ordinary people to do extraordinary work,” said Cassanite. For information call 986 4136.