FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COMMACK VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE CORPS
PO BOX 819
COMMACK, NY 11725

ANTIQUE EXHIBITS PRIDE AT STATE MUSEUM

Commack, NY The Commack Volunteer Ambulance Corps has announced the contribution of its 1967 Cadillac ambulance to the New York State Museum in Albany's EMS exhibit.

Help is here showcases the history of ambulance service from pre-civil war days through its modern day creations as emergency medical service agencies. The exhibit displays fifteen historic ambulances dating from 1911 through 2004, a sampling of historic medical equipment, and memorabilia from EMS agencies around the state.

In early 2004 the museum contacted Corps administrators and asked for permission to display the department's antique vehicle as a key part of the exhibit. The vehicle, maintained by the volunteer department as a parade vehicle, and often referred to as 'the ghost buster's car' by local children was officially withdrawn from service in the early 1990's. While it was kept certified the vehicle was not routinely used for the transportation of the sick or injured. Only a handful of the one hundred and forty volunteers currently active in the department ever treated a patient in the old Cadillac style ambulance, most began their careers in the more modern looking box-like vehicles.

EMS care gained fame in the early 1970s when NBC first aired Emergency, a one hour drama that followed the adventures of LA County firefighter-paramedics Johnny Gage and Roy Desoto. Prior to this time ambulance services were often run out of funeral homes and simply provided transportation, without medical care. Today's ambulances are essentially mobile emergency rooms and EMTs and Paramedics can perform many procedures with complete autonomy.

"We hope that this will help bring awareness to the residents of the state of the hard work we do: says Palmato."To bring to their attention some of the issues that we have faced and overcome, and others that we still face" While receiving tax dollars from the Towns of Huntington and Smithtown, the department still relies on a combination of those tax dollars and donations to provide the service. "Money is always tight. Volunteers are always needed" commented Ambulance Chief Greg Miniutti.

The agreement between the two agencies will have the antique ambulance on display from November 20th 2004 through September 11th of 2005 at which time it will be returned to the Commack fleet. "We definitely miss having the vehicle around" comments department Assistant Chief Anthony Palmato "But we're glad to loan it to the museum for display". Palmato discussed the importance of educating the public on the historic contributions of ambulance squads to pre-hospital emergency care. Modern EMS agencies provide life-saving care to hundreds of thousands of patients across the country annually, many like Commack Ambulance on a volunteer basis.

The New York State Museum is located in the Empire State Plaza Albany. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of between $2 and $5 dollars. Open 9:30am to 5:00pm everyday except Christmas Day, New Years Day, and Thanksgiving.

Pictured: Commack Ambulance' 1967 Cadillac Ambulance Picture credit: New York State Museum Photograph

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gregory C. Miniutti
631-499-9342