By Michael Morton
“I would like to get back to our own base and house,” said Melissa Robinson, an EMT and corps board member. The corps is currently stationed with the Jamaica Estates Holliswood South Bayside Volunteer Ambulance Corps at its house on Utopia Parkway and 208th Street.
“They've been very kind in offering us space and whatever we've needed,” Robinson said. While the two corps each has its own ambulances, Robinson said her corps has had to borrow other equipment from its hosts and the two groups sometimes used mixed crews on calls.
Robinson's corps has about 20 members, she said, with two coming in at a time for shifts. With the current limitations, she said, “we don't have as many tours as we used to have.”
She also said her corps was waiting before it trained new members as members want to be able to do so on their own equipment and in their own house.
Robinson said there is not yet an exact date for the reconstruction to begin, but additional funds are needed. The corps, which provides its medical transportation services for free, is financed through donations and the grants it applies for through state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose).
Fund-raisers have been held at a local bar offering tests of community members' blood pressure for a small donation. Robinson said she did not know the amount raised so far nor the funds needed. But she said donations could be sent to the corps at 235-01 Braddock Ave., Queens Village, NY 11427.
Reach reporter Michael Morton by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by calling 718-229-0300, Ext. 154.
