Politics & Government

Nanuet EMS Youth Member & South Orangetown EMS Receive State Awards

Katherine Zoda of the Nanuet Community Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the South Orangetown Volunteer Ambulance Corps received statewide recognition for their community service on Wednesday in addition to already receiving Hudson Valley regional awards.

Zoda received the New York State EMS Council’s Youth Provider of the Year Award and the South Orangetown Ambulance Corps received the state Council’s Quality and Safety Award.

In addition to announcing the state honors, County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef presented plaques and trophies to Rockland’s winners of the Hudson Valley Regional EMS Council competition, which was held in May. Vanderhoef said it was important to acknowledge EMS workers because he did not feel they got enough recognition for their contributions and dedication.

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In presenting Zoda’s award as regional council Youth Member of the Year, he noted the importance of younger volunteers who will provide service in the future. Zoda has volunteered more than 500 hours since 2010, serves as captain of the youth squad and trains others. Vanderhoef said Zoda’s nomination described her commitment, compassion and quality of care to her patients as a great example to others.  

“You are a state champ,” he told Zoda.

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The South Orangetown Ambulance Corps received the regional award for Excellence in EMS Quality & Safety for its innovations and use of new technology including a power load stretcher lifter and Lucas 2 CPR device.

The Piermont Fire Department 13-EM received the EMS Agency of the Year Award. The Haverstraw EMS nominated the Piermont EMS, which is part of the Piermont Fire Department. 

Vanderhoef emphasized the challenges Piermont first responders faced after Hurricane Sandy.  The village was cut off and up to 95 percent of its residents lost power.

“We were isolated,” said Piermont Fire Chief Bill Cavanaugh.

The Stony Point Volunteer Ambulance Corps Team #1 won the regional award for the EMS Youth Competition. Vanderhoef commended them on their outstanding effort. 

The DeFlumere Award went to the emergency service agencies that rescued family members from a Pearl River house after a tree crashed on it during Hurricane Sandy killing the father. The recipients were the Pearl River and South Orangetown volunteer ambulance corps, Rockland Paramedics, Rockland County Technical Rescue Team, Pearl River Volunteer Fire Department and Orangetown Police Department. Vanderhoef said the award is not given automatically each year but presented for "risk of life to save another life."

Pearl River EMS member Pamela Brown Thompson, who also received regional recognition as EMS Provider of the Year, was one of the responders who went into the house to rescue the residents. 

“We did it all together,” she said. “It was a difficult job.”   

 


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