Community leaders, volunteers and residents gathered outside the headquarters of the Flatlands Volunteer Ambulance Corps (“FVAC”), at 4623 Avenue N, on Monday, June 8th, as Assemblywoman Jaime Williams presented a $250,000 state grant to help purchase a new ambulance for the organization that has served southeastern Brooklyn since 1975.
The funding will enable FVAC to replace aging emergency vehicles and continue providing free emergency medical services to residents throughout Flatlands, Mill Basin, Bergen Beach, Georgetown, Marine Park, Mill Island and surrounding neighborhoods.
Representatives of the Mill Basin Civic Association (“MBCA”) joined ambulance corps members and residents for the presentation, celebrating both the grant and FVAC’s recent 50th anniversary milestone.
Speaking on behalf of FVAC, longtime member and Crew Chief Joe Auerbach — filling in for Captain Stuie Weiselberg, who was unable to attend due to work obligations — thanked Williams for securing the funding.
“The reason we’re gathered here tonight is to express our appreciation for Jaime being able to get the money that we’ll be using to order the ambulance,” he said. “It will enable us to continue responding to the medical needs of our neighbors and carry us into the future.”
He noted that the ambulance corps recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and remains an active part of Brooklyn’s emergency response network.
“We’re still active. We have a number of shifts a week. We’re still doing transports,” he said. “When the new ambulance arrives, it will enable us to continue our mission for many years to come.”
FVAC responds to approximately 1,000 emergency calls annually and operates with an annual budget exceeding $200,000. The organization relies heavily on volunteers and community support to maintain its services, which are provided at no charge to patients or their families.
MBCA Co-President Paul Curiale praised FVAC’s decades of service and reflected on the long partnership between community organizations and local elected officials in supporting emergency services.
“Today is an amazing day,” Curiale said. “Who would think 20 or 25 years later we would have the opportunity of yet having another ambulance donated to our communities?”
Addressing the volunteers directly, he added, “The things that you find, the people that you help, the seniors, the kids, the families — it doesn’t matter who they are or where they live. You’re always there when the community needs you.”
Williams emphasized the critical role volunteer emergency service organizations play throughout southern Brooklyn and pledged continued support for them in Albany.
“We know that our volunteer ambulance corps and volunteer fire departments are always spread really thin,” Williams said. “For me, it’s really important to stand strong in Albany.”
The assemblywoman highlighted previous funding she secured for other volunteer emergency organizations in the district, including the Gerritsen Beach Volunteer Fire Department and ambulance service.
“I want to reaffirm my commitment to all of you that volunteer your time to save another person’s life,” Williams told the volunteers. “I will continue to support our local volunteer ambulance facilities.”
The ceremony also recognized several FVAC members who have dedicated decades of service to the organization. Speakers noted that members Linda, Joe and Jim have each devoted more than 35 years to FVAC, exemplifying the commitment that has sustained the corps for half a century.
Founded in 1975, FVAC became Brooklyn’s first Advanced Life Support volunteer ambulance corps in 2004 and played a significant role in emergency response efforts following the September 11 attacks. Twenty-six members were honored for exceptional service connected to those efforts.
As the ceremony concluded, volunteers gathered around the oversized ceremonial check, celebrating not only a major investment in emergency medical services but also a community institution that has spent five decades answering the call when Brooklyn residents need help most.
