North Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps
The North Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps (NAVAC) is a non-profit organization providing emergency medical services to the communities north of the city of Syracuse, in Onondaga County, New York.
History
Prior to the formation of NAVAC, local fire departments responded to emergencies and funeral homes provided ambulance service. In 1969 a group of firefighters and citizens began meeting to organize a formal ambulance organization to better meet the needs of the community. The North Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc. was incorporated in the State of New York on February 17, 1970. The certificate of incorporation was signed by John Abulencia, Alfred Farnam, Doug Goettel, Michael Grillo Jr., Richard Jones Sr., Walter Killius, and George Needle. On October 24, 1970 Richard Beach and Grace Beach responded to NAVAC's first ambulance call.
Programs and services
Ambulance and emergency medical services
Operating out of its main station as well as two sub-stations NAVAC provides emergency medical and ambulance services to the communities of:
- Bridgeport, Cicero, and South Bay in the town of Cicero
- Hinsdale and Mattydale in the town of Salina
- portions of the town of Clay
- the village of North Syracuse
NAVAC's ambulances are staffed and equipped to provide advanced life support care. Personnel are certified by the New York State Department Of Health as EMT-paramedic or EMT-Critical Care to provide advanced emergency medical care, and EMT-Intermediate or EMT-Basic to provide basic life support care.
Air rescue/Lifeguard 16
Specially trained NAVAC flight paramedics operate a helicopter in conjunction with the New York State Police Aviation Detail at Syracuse International Airport. This team is part of the New York State Police's Lifeguard program, and serves the central region of New York State from the Pennsylvania state border to the Canadian border.
The Lifeguard crews respond to many different types of calls including evacuation of critically injured patients, rescues, and searches for lost persons. These specially trained paramedics bring a higher level of training and experience in managing the critically injured patient.
Wilderness search and rescue
NAVAC provides wilderness search and rescue services to Onondaga County and mutually supports search and rescue teams throughout New York State. Search and rescue personnel are certified by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
This program is the result of a merger of NAVAC with the Wilderness Search and Rescue Team, Inc. in 2004.
Emergency scene rehabilitation
Recognizing that more firefighter fatalities result from heart attack than any other cause, NAVAC set AbOUT developing a program to PReVENT such a tragedy within the seven fire departments with which it partners. The resulting firefighter "rehab" program was a first in Central New York, and entails:
- providing proper nutrition
- ensuring adequate rest
- monitoring vital signs, including absorbed carbon monoxide
Since the inception of this program the National Fire Protection Association implemented a national standard (1584) relating to firefighter rehabilitation.
Organization
As a non-profit corporation chartered in the State of New York, NAVAC consists of a membership, management, and a board of directors. The by-laws of the corporation define its membership to be composed of volunteer and career individuals who work to further its mission. As a body the membership elects the officers and certain members of the board of directors, approves an annual budget, and approves certain capital expenditures.
The board of directors oversees the activities of the corporation and provides governance to it. The officers and some members of the board are elected by the membership. Other members of the board are selected from the community at large by the board of directors.
NAVAC's management comprises an executive director and managers of key aspects of the organization. The executive director is appointed by the board of directors, and managers are designated by the executive director.
Financing
NAVAC is registered as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization with the Internal Revenue Service. It derives its funding from fund raising activities and events, grants and charitable contributions, user fees, and municipal contracts.
References
- Text of www.navac.org