BRAVO Volunteer Ambulance

BRAVO Volunteer Ambulance is a volunteer ambulance organization which provides 24/7 emergency medical services to the neighborhoods of Bay Ridge, Fort Hamilton and Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, New York. Its area is boarded by 60th Street to the north, 14th Avenue to the east, and New York harbor to the west and south, including the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. BRAVO an all volunteer organization, providing its services entirely for free, neither billing nor accept any funds from their patients' insurance carriers. BRAVO is supported solely by donations.

BRAVO's emergency line is (718) 680-1111 and the business line is (718) 680-4625.

History and Founding

Background

Bay Ridge, at the south-western point of Brooklyn, had notoriously slow ambulance response times. Recognizing a need to improve on the nearly hour-long response for a city or hospital-based ambulance, members of the community came together to found a local team of dedicated volunteers. Led by Community Board Chairman Hank Vogt, a handful of civic leaders, with the assistance of John Rusin, began to gather documentation from the NYS Volunteer Ambulance Association and the Board of Health to justify the need for a volunteer ambulance service in this community. Inspired by the film Rio Bravo, the name was selected to reflect the caliber of dedication needed to provide such a service. The name is also a backronym, standing for Bay Ridge Ambulance Volunteer Organization.

Founding & Operation

With additional support from politicians, religious groups and civic associations, BRAVO was able to secure a charter and the necessary certifications to operate. The first meeting for members was held on January 24, 1974, in which BRAVO accepted 103 applications for new members. BRAVO opened its doors in a location found by Councilman Angelo J. Arculeo. On July 4, 1974, BRAVO responded to its first call, officially providing EMS to Bay Ridge.

After only a month, BRAVO was able to extend service to provide ambulance coverage 24-hours per day. Call volume was so high, the organization purchased its second vehicle to increase emergency response. BRAVO boasted response times of under 5 minutes throughout the community.

BRAVO moved to a new (and still current) location on 7th Avenue on September 28, 1974. This location continued to grow and modernize with the organization. Due to state recognition of superior service, BRAVO volunteers were selected to join New York State's new Advanced Emergency Technician program.

EMT-Defibrillation Pilot Program

In 1987, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) selected BRAVO to pilot the new Emergency Medical Technician - Defibrillation program. Under these guidelines, all BRAVO units were trained and equipped with an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). Within the year, BRAVO had its first successful resuscitation of a patient in cardiac arrest.

Current Operations

BRAVO currently operates 3 New York State Department of Health certified ambulances, designated BRAVO 1, BRAVO 2 and BRAVO 3. These ambulances are equipped beyond state protocols and are maintained by the operations department. BRAVO also has a special personnel transportation vehicle, designated BRAVO 4, which does not carry patients. It is commonly seen at special events and as a back-up vehicle. BRAVO also has several bicycles stocked with equipment to serve as bike patrol.

BRAVO's operations are overseen by the operations department and are handled junior officers, which include Equipment, Fleet and Communications.

Membership

BRAVO accepts applications for volunteers year-round and hosts new member interviews periodically. Potential members are interviewed by a committee of current BRAVO members and have to pass a background check. There are no prerequisites to volunteer with BRAVO, but members must be certified as an EMT-B or higher to ride on the ambulance. Non-EMT members may serve as corps dispatchers. After satisfactory experience as a dispatcher, members can apply for a New York State voucher which covers the cost of the EMT class. Mandatory orientation and training is provided by the training department to new members. Members must be over the age of 18, but do not have to reside in the areas served.

BRAVO members come from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds and come from all over the greater New York Area.

Training

BRAVO has its own training department and classroom, which is used for both internal and external medical trainings. BRAVO offers mandatory training for its EMTs, which include knowledge in emergency dispatching, situational awareness, weapons of mass destruction, and mass-casualty incidents. BRAVO also offers its members continuing medical education courses throughout the year in a variety of topics, and aids members in retaining CPR, AED and First Aid certification.

BRAVO offers courses to the community in CPR, AED and First Aid. The Training Department is overseen by the Training Officer and Executive Vice President.

Youth Squad

BRAVO has a Youth Squad available to teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18. Established in an effort to increase recruitment, the Youth Squad operates as a stepping stone and volunteer opportunity for High School students. Youth Squad members do not need any prior training and are instructed in CPR, First Aid, and vital signs. Youth Squad joins the general membership at special events, particularly holiday collections, parades and festivals. Youth Squad members are also able to take shifts as observing dispatchers and join the general membership when they turn 18. The Youth Squad is overseen by advisors and the Executive Vice President.

Current Leadership

Senior Officers

• President- Gene Andersen
• Executive Vice President- Jennifer Schiano
• Vice President, Operations- Jory Guttsman
• Vice President, Finance- Irene Quinn

Board of Directors

• Peter Amentas, Chairman
• Christopher Tzavelis
• James Nealen
• Nicholas DeVincenzo
• James Koutsavlis
• Pamela Carlton
• Dorene Longo

External links

• BRAVO Home Page
• BRAVO Facebook Group