Our History

Putnam Valley Volunteer Ambulance Corps is a not-for-profit corporation organized in 1961. This year, 2024, marks 63 years of continuous service to the people of Putnam Valley, and the surrounding area.

In early 1961, the Mohegan Volunteer Fire Department notified Putnam Valley that it could no longer provide ambulance service to our town. The Mohegan area had grown to the point that they had to reduce their area of service and concentrate on their own community.

It is not easy to start a new ambulance corps. It takes people, a plan, and money. This triangle depends on a plan to get people interested, money to formulate a plan, and people to make the money available. 

After several attempts, with various people supplying the necessary momentum at critical times, money began to accumulate and people were ready. There were 42 volunteers ready to start first aid training by September of 1961.

Help came from many quarters. To mention one would be unfair to the many who contributed their service, suggestions and/or money. Women were taking a part, not as a supporting auxiliary, but as front-line active members. 

Obtaining a charter to operate an ambulance is like the proverbial marriage license, it is only a license of greater responsibility.

The Corps started its operation in November of 1961 with a $250 second-hand ambulance carrying a $700 resuscitator covered by only $400 worth of liability insurance - great hopes and little cash. 

Adopting a constitution and by-laws took many additional months because this document would contain the mission of the Corps and how it would be implemented. The spirit of our work is reflected in the objects of the constitution which says:

"The purpose of the Corps shall be to provide emergency service in the Town of Putnam Valley."

Every word is significant - "Emergency" means the ambulance is used only when someone really needs it; to take a patient to the hospital and get the ambulance back as soon as possible. "Service" means just what it implies - all work and no play!

No money collected is used for the benefit of Corp members, unless they themselves are victims of an emergency.

The first ambulance used by the Corps remained in service until it - literally - fell apart early in 1963; the second one was a loan from Brewster FD while we undertook our 1963 fund drive for the replacement ambulance. The thought of raising $15,000 in a town the size of Putnam Valley in 1963 was a frightening one. To the members it meant hard work, in addition to their regular tours of duty. The result confirmed the fiber of the Corps members.

Support - Donate - Serve