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Stony Point Ambulance Corps
Organization, Development and Purpose of The Ambulance Corps
The ambulance maintained and operated in Stony Point during World War II by the American Red Cross lacked adequately trained personnel and the modern equipment necessary for efficient peacetime service and could only be considered as an emergency measure. It was evident that this community of Stony Point Township, with its almost five thousand inhabitants, needed more modern and comfortable equipment for the transportation of sick and injured to hospitals, so in July 1946 cards were sent out to residents inquiring as to what their attitude would be toward the organization of an ambulance corps. The reaction was favorable and a meeting of interested people was held on June 19th of that same year in the Presbyterian Church, at which time a group of officers were elected which later crystallized into the present board of directors. Mr. Irving G. Kennedy agreed to serve as counsel and he drew up incorporation papers. The organization was named Stony Point Ambulance Corps Inc. A second-hand ambulance of excellent make, needing only minor repairs, was for sale in the neighboring community of Nanuet and after inspection by members of the Corps it was decided to purchase it at a price of $900.
A drive for funds was then initiated and carried on by the members of the organization, covering the whole of Stony Point Township, including Grassy Point, Jones Point, Stony Point, Willow Grove, Tomkins Cove and Doodletown, which was the area to be served by the new ambulance. In this, the first drive made, 770 individuals and families contributed a total of $3,135.80 which covered purchase of the ambulance with an amount left over considered sufficient for its maintenance and operation during the first year.
The ambulance was thoroughly overhauled and put in first class condition and actual operations began on December 11, 1946, with insurance coverage maintained not only on the ambulance itself but also the drivers, nurses, attendants and patients. The corps of 50 drivers and nurses work in shifts with an operation crew always on duty, day and night. All members are trained in First Aid. Mr. LeRoy Favre and Mrs. Charles H. Hoole, did most of the work of recruiting and organizing. Captain William Charters, Dr. Harold E. Spille, and Mrs. Kay Couch conducted the training classes in First Aid. The ambulance is equipped with all modern First Aid appliances and is inspected regularly to insure that it is being kept in perfect condition.
The ambulance service is free to residents of Stony Point Township. To maintain high efficiency of service, emergency calls are limited to a radius of 50 miles. During the first half year of its operation the ambulance was, and still is, kept in Carl Blume's garage. mr. Blume has given garage space and repair labor free of charge. However, the need for a building to house it and the various activities connected with its maintenance was recognized from the beginning. The first move toward achieving this was made by Mr. George Ewald who donated a building lot centrally located on Lee Avenue in Stony Point. A second drive for funds was now being started on April 16, 1947, and largely through the enthusiasm and energy of Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Hoole, Mrs. Ethel Veber, Mr. LeRoy Favre and other leaders in the work, the sum of $8,377.92 was collected. Plans were drawn on donated time by Mr. John M. Jeffrey, Architect, of Valley Cottage, assisted by Mr. Calvin T. Allison and Mr. Nelson Hall as engineers. The edifice is to be 60 feet by 30 feet, two stories, the garage and community meeting rooms on the first floor and a large auditorium for public gatherings on the top floor.
The ambulance maintained and operated in Stony Point during World War II by the American Red Cross lacked adequately trained personnel and the modern equipment necessary for efficient peacetime service and could only be considered as an emergency measure. It was evident that this community of Stony Point Township, with its almost five thousand inhabitants, needed more modern and comfortable equipment for the transportation of sick and injured to hospitals, so in July 1946 cards were sent out to residents inquiring as to what their attitude would be toward the organization of an ambulance corps. The reaction was favorable and a meeting of interested people was held on June 19th of that same year in the Presbyterian Church, at which time a group of officers were elected which later crystallized into the present board of directors. Mr. Irving G. Kennedy agreed to serve as counsel and he drew up incorporation papers. The organization was named Stony Point Ambulance Corps Inc. A second-hand ambulance of excellent make, needing only minor repairs, was for sale in the neighboring community of Nanuet and after inspection by members of the Corps it was decided to purchase it at a price of $900.
A drive for funds was then initiated and carried on by the members of the organization, covering the whole of Stony Point Township, including Grassy Point, Jones Point, Stony Point, Willow Grove, Tomkins Cove and Doodletown, which was the area to be served by the new ambulance. In this, the first drive made, 770 individuals and families contributed a total of $3,135.80 which covered purchase of the ambulance with an amount left over considered sufficient for its maintenance and operation during the first year.
The ambulance was thoroughly overhauled and put in first class condition and actual operations began on December 11, 1946, with insurance coverage maintained not only on the ambulance itself but also the drivers, nurses, attendants and patients. The corps of 50 drivers and nurses work in shifts with an operation crew always on duty, day and night. All members are trained in First Aid. Mr. LeRoy Favre and Mrs. Charles H. Hoole, did most of the work of recruiting and organizing. Captain William Charters, Dr. Harold E. Spille, and Mrs. Kay Couch conducted the training classes in First Aid. The ambulance is equipped with all modern First Aid appliances and is inspected regularly to insure that it is being kept in perfect condition.
The ambulance service is free to residents of Stony Point Township. To maintain high efficiency of service, emergency calls are limited to a radius of 50 miles. During the first half year of its operation the ambulance was, and still is, kept in Carl Blume's garage. mr. Blume has given garage space and repair labor free of charge. However, the need for a building to house it and the various activities connected with its maintenance was recognized from the beginning. The first move toward achieving this was made by Mr. George Ewald who donated a building lot centrally located on Lee Avenue in Stony Point. A second drive for funds was now being started on April 16, 1947, and largely through the enthusiasm and energy of Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Hoole, Mrs. Ethel Veber, Mr. LeRoy Favre and other leaders in the work, the sum of $8,377.92 was collected. Plans were drawn on donated time by Mr. John M. Jeffrey, Architect, of Valley Cottage, assisted by Mr. Calvin T. Allison and Mr. Nelson Hall as engineers. The edifice is to be 60 feet by 30 feet, two stories, the garage and community meeting rooms on the first floor and a large auditorium for public gatherings on the top floor.