(Courtesy of TVAC) The Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps (TVAC) recently elected a new president, Eric Orgen; a new chief, Israel “Izzy” Infield; and a new administration and operations team to lead TVAC into the new year of 2021.

Teaneck was an epicenter for the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring and summer of 2020. TVAC was responding to hundreds of calls per week to help residents who had been infected with the dangerous virus. Several TVAC members even contracted the virus while treating the residents they serve.

“The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced for a lot of people just how vital TVAC is to the health, safety and well-being of Teaneck as a community,” said newly elected President Eric Orgen who has been a member of TVAC for 26 years and has responded on nearly 2,500 emergency calls throughout his tenure with the organization.

“I am honored to be elected by my colleagues to serve as president of TVAC and will work hard to continue the tradition of the excellent emergency medical service TVAC has become known for over the years,” Orgen continued. “Everyone at TVAC joined because they believe in helping people and because they love Teaneck. So that’s what we are going to keep on doing in the year 2021.”

Serving TVAC is a family tradition for Orgen. TVAC is where he met his wife, Karen, who is a former president and retired life member. In addition, his daughter Jamie is currently a probationary member. This will be Orgen’s first term as president. He has previously served TVAC as both treasurer and a trustee.

Incoming Chief Izzy Infield, who has been a TVAC member for the past 10 years and has previously served two terms as chief and one term as president, shared: “I am honored and humbled to be elected as chief for 2021. We have a number of new initiatives that were recently introduced that will be expanded on in the first 60 days of the year to further reduce response times and ensure TVAC continues to provide high level emergency care to all of Teaneck.” With more than 5,000 emergency calls under his belt, Infield continues to give back to TVAC in numerous ways and is ready to leverage his expertise and knowledge to lead TVAC from an operational perspective.

“I am thankful to my fellow TVAC members for electing a whole team of very dedicated members to lead the ambulance corps in 2021,” said Mark Schwartz, who is both an 18-year TVAC member and also serves as deputy mayor of Teaneck. “This is a team with proven experience and dedication; they will continue to be hands-on and lead through what we hope is a recovery year. This year will be one in which we can grow and learn from this pandemic, and not just continue, but to increase the superior care and response time TVAC is known for throughout the County and State of New Jersey.”

The newly elected incoming officers for 2021 are:

Eric Orgen—President

Joe Harris—Vice President

Baruch “BZ” Silberstein—Treasurer

Jared Kramer—Secretary

Deirdre Colasuono—Trustee

Dr. Eliyahu Cooper—Trustee

Jacob Finkelstein—Trustee

Andy Rudin—Past President

Israel “ Izzy” Infield—Chief

Joe Horowitz—Captain

Anastasia Ipecki—Captain

The Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps was created by several residents in 1939 to serve the local community. TVAC has always been Teaneck’s only emergency ambulance service and has since grown to include more than 120 active members in their organization.

All members of TVAC are volunteers, serving the township 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, without pay. They respond to more than 4,500 emergency calls per year, saving lives and reducing suffering with their rapid response and application of Basic Life Support skills.

To learn more about or donate to TVAC, please visit https://www.teaneckambulance.org/