MARATHON AREA VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE CORPS, INC.
MAVAC Receives CNYTuesdays Grant from the Weitsman Foundation
Each month, the Weitsman Foundation awards $2,000 grants to four non-profit organizations operating in Central New York. These organizations must first be nominated by local community members and the top ten nominees compete for the grant funding based on the number of votes they receive from the public during a week-long polling period. The grant recipients can use the cash award to support their organization's ongoing efforts within in the local community. MAVAC was fortunate to receive serval nominations, and the entire Marathon community and people from the surrounding areas rallied their support during the live voting period. The final result was tremendous; MAVAC was chosen as a grant winner for February 2023! MAVAC will use the $2,000 grant to support our new ambulance station building project. The media story about our CNYTuesdays grant award and the efforts of our MAVAC organization will air on February 21st on the CNY Central TV stations (Channel 3 and 5) narrated by anchor Michael Benney.
MAVAC's Kristen Gregory Earns NYS Paramedic Certification
After serving with MAVAC for the past four years as an EMT, Kristen Gregory decided she was ready for the added challenge of pursuing her NYS Paramedic certification to become an ALS provider within our organization. Kristen enrolled in the Paramedic Program offered through Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira, NY. She spent the past two years taking courses, completing lab exercises, and finishing her required field training necessary to sit for the Paramedic certification exam. Kristen graduated from the Paramedic program in December 2022 and is now competing her in-house training and probationary period as an ALS provider with MAVAC. We are so proud of her dedication to MAVAC and her patients. Congratulations, Kristen!
MAVAC to Place New Type III Ambulance in Service in February 2023
MAVAC recently took delivery of a brand-new Ford E350 Type III ambulance that will be placed in service as MAVAC 652 in late February 2023. The Trauma Hawk model ambulance was built by Northeastern Rescue Vehicles in Syracuse, NY. This unit replaces the former 2013 Chevrolet Type III ambulance that was purchased used from Chenango Ambulance nine years ago. The new 652 features a gasoline engine, a slightly shorter wheelbase for added maneuverability, an auto-loader automatic stretcher loading system, and an integrated camera system that allows the driver to better monitor the patient treatment area in the rear of the ambulance, as well as activity behind the vehicle during backing situations.
Grants from the J.M. McDonald Foundation Fund Purchase of Zoll AutoPulse Automated CPR Devices for MAVAC Ambulances
MAVAC was awarded two separate $10,000 grants in 2020 and 2022 from the J.M. McDonald Foundation to help fund the purchase of a Zoll AutoPulse automated CPR device for each of our ALS ambulances. The AutoPulse device provides continuous, high-quality CPR to patients in cardiac arrest during transport to the hospital allowing our Medics to perform other lifesaving measures simultaneously. Automated CPR devices such as the AutoPulse have been shown to be highly effective in the field, especially in rural settings where extended transport times to the hospital are common due to the distance. MAVAC members complete annual training on proper use of these devices.
MAVAC Wins "Real Heroes" Award from the American Red Cross
In April 2014, the Marathon Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps was awarded the American Red Cross "Real Heroes" Award for their efforts to save the life of a local farmer who was critically injured in a farming accident that amputated his arm. The award was sponsored by the Cortland Regional Medical Center and members of the MAVAC crew attended an awards breakfast held at Greek Peak Resort.
J.M. McDonald Foundation Awards MAVAC a $15,000 Grant for Fly-Car Project
MAVAC was awarded a $15,000 grant from the J.M. McDonald Foundation to support the purchase of a new 2016 Ford Explorer SUV to replace its previous 2008 ALS fly car. The grant enabled MAVAC to continue its highly successful rapid-response ALS fly-car program. This program was first initiated in 2010 when MAVAC received a separate $17,000 grant from the J.M. McDonald Foundation to purchase a 12-lead cardiac monitor to equip the vehicle. The fly car is used primarily for mutual aid emergency calls to neighboring ambulance districts and on any call where an imminent threat to life exists.
$25,000 Lipinski Rural Initiatives Grant to MAVAC in 2023
"Excellence in Emergency Medical Services"