In 1965, a meeting with the temporary committee was held. In attendance was chairman pro term Gilbert Wiess, Barbara Hahn, Frank Koester, Richard Lott, Budd Mathern, Peter Moran and Winnie Mullally. District Number 6 Ambulance and First Aid Association assisted the pioneers. Walker of the Grahamsville Squad, Mr. Al Whitaker of the Woodbourne Department and Mr. Gorge Boddy of the Livingston Manor A
mbulance Corps. were advisors. On April 25th 1965 Jeffersonville Lions Club Purchased our first ambulance; a 1954 Cadillac from the American Legion Ambulance Corps in Eldred for $500.00. That year the Jeffersonville Fire Commissioners offered the use of the building that was to be built next to the firehouse. Until the completion, August Lott offered to house the vehicle at the garage: Lott's Ace Garage. The Jeffersonville firemen provided a home for our ambulance for over 20 years. Meanwhile, the members trained in First Aid taught by the Livingston Manor Ambulance Corps instructors. Our Corps was officially formed when the members received their First Aid cards. Dr. Miller provided physicals free of charge for all drivers. The Corps first call was answered on June 15, 1965. Barbara Hahn was the Corps dispatcher. Initial fund raising for the Corps consisted of a "Fun Night" chaired by Bob Breffle, chance books sold, canisters placed in local hotels and bars, and hotdogs were sold at baseball games. In September 1965 the corps decided to limit their fundraising activities to one letter of appeal. The postage for the first mailing of 1,782 letters was $71.28 and brought in $2,229.00. This continued up until the formation of our tax district. In 1965/1966 the corps purchased 24 green lights for it's members. September 6, 1965 Jeffersonville Volunteer First Aid Corps Incorporated papers were filled in Albany, New York. In 1968, Ann Mages as President, Pete Moran and Richard Lott as committee members purchased a new 1968 Miller Meteor Cadillac for $14,000.00 plus the trade in of our 1954 Cadillac. The Lions Club and the Manson's donated a total of $750.00 toward the purchase. In 1970, Barbara Hahn resigned as the Corps dispatcher and dispatching was turned over to Killian Answering Service. In November 1987, the county’s Emergency Control Center took over dispatching. In 1974/1975 the corps traded in the 1968 for a new 1974 Cadillac. Rita Yewchuck introduced that 50/50 drawing that is still done at every monthly meeting. By now, the Corps has answered 1,400 calls. In 1976/1977 Jeffersonville Volunteer First Aid Corps and Jeffersonville Fire Department jointly purchased the "Jaws of Life" for $5,000.00.
1978/1979, a new 1979Dodge was purchased and an automatic door opener was installed. In 1983 a new 1983 Van Ambulance was purchased. In August 1984, Russ Duttweiler generously offered to share the old fire house (next to the village offices) at no charge to the Corps. In 1987/1989 we became a 2 rig Ambulance Corps, with the purchase of a 1972 Chevy from Roscoe/Rockland Ambulance Corps. In 1989 we purchased a 1988 Ford Diesel which faithfully ran for us until it was sold to Monticello Raceway EMS in 2003. In 1990 it was the Corps 25th anniversary and we had answered over 5,000 calls. In 1991 Jeffersonville Volunteer First Aid Corps formed a tax district covering all of the Village of Jeffersonville, Town of Callicoon and portions of the Town of Bethel, Delaware and Freemont. In 1993 we purchased a new 1993 Ford Ambulance which is still in service. In 1999, we became a 3 rig Ambulance Corps with the purchase of a new 1999 custom made Braun Ambulance. Jeffersonville Volunteer First Aid Corps also started considering participating in billing for our services along with the tax monies both to help offset the increasing costs of operations and to help our patients with billing issues for bills received for Advanced Life Support (ALS) services provided by the Commercial Services. At this time we were at the basic level. On January 1, 2000 we started Revenue Recovery Billing. in 2002, again after much thought and concern for our community we made the decision to upgrade to Paramedic level. The venture would require a significant increase in the tax monies that we receive. After the presentations to our Towns and the approval of a budget, we were on our way. It was agreed that the tax district monies would cover the operational costs and Revenue Recovery would cover all other expenses including future apparatus purchases. We would be the second volunteer agency in Sullivan County, following the lead of our good Neighbor Liberty Volunteer Ambulance Corps to provide care at Paramedic level. The first six months cost and all start up equipment was purchased using Revenue Recovery funds from the first three years of billing. This included a 1993 Suburban purchased from Central Islip- Hauppauge Volunteer Ambulance Corps in Long Island for a final cost of $2000.00, a $23,000 Cardiac Monitor, all other drugs and mandatory equipment, and the first six months salaries for our Paramedics. On November 12th at 12:30p.m. we went online and have provided Paramedic Care along with our Basic Life Support (BLS) crews, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In 2003, the Corps purchased a new Ambulance to replace the 1988 Ambulance that had given us 15 years of Service. In 2004, our home was no longer large enough to hold us. With the Counties only consistently held State EMT classes for the past 15 years being hosted here and the soon to be added 2000 Expedition as a second ALS First Response vehicle it was time to expand. Construction started in August and we were in our new bays at the beginning of 2005. The upstairs bays are being renovated using grant monies to house our classroom and the downstairs bays will be utilized for office and OSHA/HIPPA approved secure storage of our boxes of paperwork and files. On behalf of all of those involved with Jeffersonville Volunteer First Aid Corps for the past 50 years, we would like to thank our community leaders and residents for your support. With your continued support and with great expectations, we look forward to our future and what we can do together.
