History of The Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corp.

  From its modest beginning as an idea conceived by Joseph and Louise DiGiorgio and William Morgan, the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps has become an institution whose foundation is based on meeting the emergency medical needs of the residents of and visitors to Mineola.  The survival of any organization is based on the caliber of its leadership and MVAC was and is so continuously blessed.  Those who laid the cornerstone are such dignitaries as: Stanley and Peggy Rupnick, Bruce Nedelka, Cathy Hirt-Rodriguez, Walter and Diane Strauss, Joan Benatti, Cathy Lauterbach, Patrick Tobin and Joseph and Louise DiGiorgio.

  These individuals carried the heavy burden of responsibility in the creation of MVAC and the organization is a living testament to their dedication

  To the residents, merchants, and charitable organizations, the money you continue to donate to MVAC is utilized to purchase equipment that will be used to save a life or prevent further serious injuries.

  On Saturday, April 28, 1979, at 12 noon, the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps began its service to the people of Mineola.  The celebration was held at the American Legion Hall.  Those invited were high ranking government officials and residents of Mineola.  Preceding the party was a motorcade through the Village with our two ambulances.  By July of 1979, MVAC became a part of the 911 system.  MVAC is dispatched through the Nassau County Fire Communications Bureau and can be reached by dialing 516-742-3300.

  In December 1979, MVAC President, Bruce Nedelka, stated that 341 calls were responded to in the first eight months of operation. 

  By March 1980, MVAC was able to purchase necessary cardiac telemetry equipment to better serve the community, thanks to efforts of the Mineola American, The County Seat Kiwanis Club of Mineola, and the Mineola Mustang Run.

  In May 1983, after 5 years of MVAC operating out of a basement room in the Willis Ave. School, Company 3 of the Mineola FD had outgrown their facility, and the Village of Mineola provided 170 Elm Place for the Corps.

  In April 1994, the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps received a Unit Citation for their actions at the Long Island Railroad shooting on December 7, 1993.  MVAC responded to the incident with 3 advanced life support ambulances, and treated and transported dozens of victims to nearby hospitals.

  In October 1998, MVAC was named Nassau Regional EMS Council’s EMS Agency of the Year.  This award was bestowed again upon MVAC in 2004 and an honorable mention in 2005 and 2008.

  In September 2001, with the World Trade Center disaster, MVAC immediately sent one rapid-response vehicle and one ALS ambulance to Ground Zero, after calls for assistance came from our NYC neighbors.  Members remained in Manhattan for nearly 30 hours, while other members were stationed on various ferry boats.  All the while, round the clock crews were in house covering calls for help in our Village.

  In August 2003, during the North East Blackout, MVAC had multiple stand-by crews around the clock, responding to critical patients, who were not able to survive without power.

  In this field, no one can predict what tomorrow will bring, but rest assured our volunteers will be ready no matter the situation.

 

The MVAC EMT's, (EMT-B's, EMT-CC's and EMT-P's) provide 24-hour, 7 days a week, Advanced Life Support service. The emergency technicians are always on duty, responding from their homes or headquarters.