BRAVO Volunteer Ambulance Service

imes in the Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, and Fort Hamilton communities could be more than one hour. In an emergency, time is critical. The community board found this unacceptable. A handful of civic leaders 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. Numerous meetings were held in private homes for those interested in the cause. The concept grew, and a volunteer ambulance service was born to provide a swift and effective emergency medical response to our community. This service comprised dedicated community neighbors who agreed that our people were the most critical part of these communities. This growing population's demand for good health care was a driving force. The Bay Ridge Ambulance Volunteer Organization, to become known as BRAVO, would now be a reality. With the help of many politicians and the religious and civic communities, BRAVO obtained our charter and certificates, enabling it to operate. The first official meeting of BRAVO was held on January 24, 1974, at which over 103 applications for membership were accepted. The new organization found space for our headquarters in a former tailor shop. On July 4, 1974, BRAVO officially responded to our first call. On August 18, 1974, we became a 24-hour service. A second ambulance was purchased to meet the increasing community demand. BRAVO's headquarters were dedicated on September 28, 1974. On that day, BRAVO purchased and remodeled the building. Today, BRAVO's headquarters provide our volunteers a home away from home and a learning center for the community. BRAVO became a household name. Letters of support and thanks continually poured into BRAVO, and it is evident that BRAVO was needed. BRAVO's response time was under five minutes instead of the City's sixty minutes. Our leadership in training and advancement made us state-recognized for advanced services. In 1977, BRAVO volunteers were chosen to be among the state's first advanced emergency medical technicians. In 1986, BRAVO was chosen to pilot the Emergency Medical Technician—Defibrillation Program, a program now used by emergency services throughout the State and Country. In 1987, BRAVO had our first of many “saves” using the semi-automatic defibrillator. BRAVO has always been considered the leader and role model in NY State and many other parts of the country. Our EMTs also receive ongoing training in aircraft disaster response, weapons of mass destruction, and biological warfare response in and around New York City. In 1989, BRAVO responded to our 100,000th call for help. Averaging over 500 monthly calls, our 200 volunteers provided pre-hospital emergency medical care to the community. BRAVO started a teenage group called the BRAVO Youth Squad to recruit new members. This is for teenagers between 14 and 18 years old. Through training, they are prepared to join the senior squad to dispatch and work on the ambulances. Our Youth Squad and their Advisors make BRAVO proud. In addition to working together as Volunteers, BRAVO members created a social support system with many activities being held throughout the year. BRAVO stands for professionalism, dedication, and community service. It strives to keep our members on the cutting edge of pre-hospital emergency medical care. Because of the skills and professionalism of BRAVO volunteers, they have been involved in many regional incidents. New York City EMS routinely uses BRAVO's services at mass casualty incidents, like the plane crash at Kennedy Airport in 1977, train derailments, major fires in the borough, building explosions, the Century 21 collapse in 1990, the World Trade Center Bombing in 1993 and the WTC attacks on September 11, 2001. We participate in the New City Marathon, The Five Borough Bike Tour, and many other massive events. We are invited to participate in all official mock disaster drills in the city. BRAVO members proved that they could put together teams and respond to their neighbor's calls for help at a moment's notice. Over the years, governors and mayors have cited BRAVO for our beautiful work in our community and have awarded BRAVO both state and city citations for excellence. Local healthcare providers like Lutheran Medical Center, Maimonides Medical Center, and Victory Memorial Hospital have given BRAVO community civic awards. BRAVO has also received civic awards from the Bay Ridge Community Council. Resolutions honoring BRAVO have been made on the floors of the NYC Council, the NY State Assembly, and the NY State Senate. BRAVO relies on financial support from the community. Support comes from neighbors, friends, and family members who remember BRAVO during annual fundraising events like our spring and fall appeals. Our 5K Runs, local blood pressure screenings, CPR classes, holiday greetings on 86th Street, car washes, and Spring Fling Basket Fundraiser have helped raise money. BRAVO receives much-needed support through memorials, bequests, and estate-planned gift-giving programs. BRAVO continues to look for City Council contributions when available and pursue Federal Grant applications for equipment upgrades. In addition to our volunteers, we were blessed in the past with an Angel of our own." BRAVO's ANGEL," Mrs. Hooda Germack, blessed BRAVO through her kindness and generosity. Through caring people like Mrs. Germack and our many community supporters, BRAVO has provided the best pre-hospital care to our community. BRAVO's general expenses are well over $150,000 a year. A significant cost is insurance coverage. In addition, vehicle maintenance, gas, electric, telephone, medical equipment, and other related expenses must be met. It costs BRAVO over $250,000.00 to purchase and equip each new ambulance. Through all these obstacles, BRAVO has continued to provide all-volunteer, pre-hospital emergency medical care to the Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, and Fort Hamilton communities. Our headquarters are at 8507 Seventh Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Our current fleet includes three state-of-the-art ambulances and one van. Although BRAVO looks to the future, we must not forget the operational responsibilities we face today. We thank you in advance for your support.