(Courtesy of TVAC) On Sunday, May 23, the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps (TVAC) closed out Emergency Medical Services Week with their annual awards ceremony. EMS Week is a time to thank paramedics, EMTs and the entire EMS workforce for their service and sacrifices. It’s also an opportunity for TVAC to continue to raise public awareness about the critical role they play in the community.

Nearly 100 TVAC members, along with their friends and family, were present and were joined by Congressman Josh Gottheimer, Township Manager Dean Kazinci, Deputy Township Manager Tom Rowe, Township Clerk Doug Ruccione, Mayor Jim Dunleavey, Deputy Mayor and TVAC member Mark J. Schwartz, Councilmember Michael S. Pagan and TVAC Chaplain Rabbi Daniel Fridman.

The ceremony began with the singing of the national anthem led by TVAC Captain Anastasia Ipekci.

In a time when volunteerism is on a continued decline in the U.S., and numerous ambulance corps in Bergen County as well as the state of New Jersey have shut down, the TVAC continues to remain strong. TVAC is known across the state and in fact across the country as a premier provider of emergency medical services. TVAC continues to serve the township of Teaneck at no cost to those they provide services to, and not one of their members receives any monetary compensation.

This year, TVAC celebrated more than just the excellence and life-saving treatment their hardworking TVAC members and EMTs provide to Teaneck day and night. In 2021, TVAC members faced one of the busiest periods in their 83 years, responding to a record number of calls and bringing compassion and empathy to their patients during a time of continued terrible loss for our town, our state, our country and the entire world from the COVID-19 pandemic. TVAC’s reputation as trusted professionals with an unwavering dedication to their patients has been on display every day.

While the ceremony’s main focus is to recognize many of TVAC’s members for different acts of service, TVAC President Eric M. Orgen shared, “I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that our awardees don’t do this for the recognition. Each one of our members have different reasons for serving, but collectively it is out of a sense of giving back to our community and providing emergency medical services to those in need.”

Congressman Gottheimer, a longtime and vocal supporter of TVAC, presented a number of awards and shared some words with the public. “Members of the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps are our neighbors, family and friends who tirelessly work day in and day out. They spend countless hours training and practicing for what could be the worst day of our lives—and they are always there when we need them most,” said Gottheimer. “To our first responders, for all that you’ve done for our community, I will always have your backs.”

TVAC Chaplain Rabbi Daniel Fridman, senior rabbi of the Teaneck Jewish Center, spent a few moments recognizing TVAC’s dedicated volunteers and shared words of encouragement and blessing. Rabbi Fridman stated, “We ask God to continue to bless all of the members of TVAC with good health and good strength so they may continue to do His work here in our community.”

Mayor Jim Dunleavey presented awards to TVAC’s 2021 administrative and operational leadership team and reinforced the township’s commitment to TVAC as Teaneck’s emergency medical services primary provider.

Deputy Mayor Mark J. Schwartz presented awards to 43 TVAC members who successfully applied CPR and other medical interventions and were successful in restoring life to a patient in the field. Deputy Mayor Schwartz quoted the Talmud in reference to TVAC’s efforts: “Anyone who saves a single life is considered as if they saved the entire world.” Schwartz, an 18-year TVAC member, then shared “the best place to earn that distinction is by being a member of TVAC.”

Councilmember Michael S. Pagan awarded the Stork Pin in recognition of members who assisted in the delivery of a baby boy in February.

TVAC Chief Yoni Celnik presented the member-of-the-year award to Ezra Finkelstein for the cumulative actions he exhibited throughout the calendar year. These include responding to nearly 1,000 calls, four CPS saves, his leadership as lieutenant of personnel and his hard work, efforts and dedication to numerous committees.

The Walter Pinches Memorial EMS Leadership Award’s purpose is to honor a TVAC member who has not only proven to have a spark of talent for leadership, but also seeks out and imparts fresh ways of thinking to TVAC. The award is named in memory of TVAC Life Member and Teaneck Police Captain Walter Pinches. It is with Walter’s innovative spirit that the award itself is given in scholarship form, providing the award recipient with funding to enroll in advanced EMS and/or EMS-related leadership training. Walter’s daughter, Kate Pinches, presented the award to Joe MacDiarmid.

TVAC President Eric M. Orgen presented the Life Membership award to past TVAC Chief Izzy Infield. A member is awarded Life Membership in the organization when they have attained 10 consistent years of service. Life Membership is a prestigious designation and one that all TVAC members strive to attain.

2021 was TVAC’s busiest year in their 82-year history with 4,738 emergency calls, an increase of nearly 13.5%, or 567 calls more than in 2020. Even with that volume. TVAC covered 100% of those calls while also providing mutual aid to neighboring towns 62 times. The average response time in Teaneck was under four minutes.

“Each and every one of our volunteers plays an important and integral role in the success of TVAC and in ensuring we are there for all of those in their time of need regardless of the time of day or circumstance,” said Orgen. “We are blessed with having continued growth when other volunteer EMS agencies are hurting for volunteers, with many closing their doors.” Orgen then recognized those members who were TVAC’s top 10 responders in 2021:

TVAC Life Member and retired Teaneck Fire Chief Anthony J. Verley, who is the number 3 all TVAC responder with more than 8,000 calls, presented the Call Count Achievement Award to Peter Philomey, who surpassed 5,000 lifetime calls and Eric Orgen, who surpassed 2,500 lifetime calls.

The ceremony concluded with President Orgen thanking all of Teaneck’s front-line responders for their continued partnership and support.

Teaneck’s Finest, the men and women of the Teaneck Police Department, who respond on each and every medical emergency call to ensure TVAC members are safe and to provide assistance to both the caller and the TVAC responders.

Teaneck’s Bravest, the men and women of the Teaneck Fire Department, who always have TVAC’s backs and are always quick to provide assistance on numerous types of emergency calls.

Teaneck’s Strongest, the men and women of the Department of Public Works, whose assistance, especially during storms, is critical to TVAC’s response.

President Orgen concluded with a special thank you to Township Manager Dean Kazinci and his team along with the mayor and members of the Township Council for their continued partnership with TVAC.

You may not know you have a passion for the medical field or helping others until you join. Join now and find out if you have what it takes. Visit our website: www.teaneckambulance.org.