OUR STORY
A TIMELINE OF OUR PROGRESS AND ACTIVE COMMAND STAFF
HISTORICAL TIMELINE
IN
1949
In 1949, a suggestion was made by members of the North End Hose Company, a division of the Eastchester Fire Department to establish a volunteer ambulance service. Three years later a group of committed individuals led by Attorney Harold Blass secured incorporation papers for the Eastchester Volunteer Ambulance Corps (EVAC). The originally elected officers of the Corps were President Rocco Rescigno, Vice President Adolph Zorzo, Secretary Vincent Logiudice, and Treasurer Jerry M. Nuzzi.
IN FEBRUARY
1952
Shortly after incorporation in February 1952, the membership voted to purchase their first Miller Cadillac ambulance. After incorporation, many residents of the community along with the Board of Fire Commissioners, Lawrence Hospital, the Eastchester Town Council, the Eastchester Chamber of Commerce, and many other local organizations supported the establishment of EVAC.
IN MARCH
1952
On March 1, 1952, EVAC’s first ambulance was officially placed into service at the North End Fire House, which served as the agency’s headquarters. During EVAC’s first year of operations, members responded to over 90 calls.
IN
1966
In 1966 the Eastchester Fire Department constructed a new addition to accommodate EVAC’s vehicles and members.
IN
1984
As the years progressed and EVAC’s membership roster increased, it became evident that EVAC could no longer operate out of the North End Fire House. In 1984, EVAC began a massive fundraising campaign to support the construction of a new building of our own.
IN DECEMBER
1986
On December 6, 1986, EVAC broke ground on what was to become their new state of the art headquarters.
IN OCTOBER
1990
Four years later, on October 21, 1990, EVAC officially opened its new headquarters for operations.
IN MAY
1991
Shortly after, in May of 1991, EVAC earned the distinction of being a New York State Department of Health Ambulance Service. This distinction affirmed EVAC’s commitment to the rigorous training standards set by the state for certified first responders, emergency medical technicians, and advanced emergency medical technicians, as well as for maintaining the equipment and communication standards necessary to provide the highest quality life support services to our community.
IN JULY
1995
In July of 1995, EVAC implemented its Advanced Life Support (ALS) program, which provided an around the clock staffed Paramedic responsible for responding to all calls and triaging patients to determine the appropriate treatment needed. The program was complemented by a rapid response vehicle known as a “fly-car” (57M1).
IN JULY
1999
Beginning in 1999, the Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe which, serves to support broad social services through grants and technical support to local agencies and community projects, have committed their financial support to EVAC, which is reserved for the purchase of a new ambulance every three years. Due to the generosity of the Community Fund, the citizens of Eastchester, Bronxville, and Tuckahoe, EVAC has purchased high quality, state of the art ambulances. In addition to the support of the Community Fund, EVAC operations are supported through private donations and revenue recovery efforts.
IN JULY
2005
Another major milestone for EVAC occurred in 2005 when all medical emergencies started to be dispatched by Westchester County’s Department of Emergency Services, known as 60-Control. This allows Westchester County to dispatch EMS services more efficiently according to patient condition. 60-Control also uses Emergency Medical Dispatching, a system where they are able to give pre-arrival instructions to family members or bystanders to further help the patient until first responders arrive.
CURRENT OFFICERS
2020-2021
PRESIDENT
JUDE VALERIOTI, EMT-P
President Valerioti joined Eastchester EMS in 1977 and became a NYS EMT in 1978. Valerioti served as Captain from 1984 to 1986 and became a NYS Paramedic in 1985. In addition to dedicating the better portion of his professional career to Eastchester EMS, Valerioti also has worked as a Paramedic for Abbey Richmond Ambulance in White Plains from 1983 to 1987 as well as Empress EMS in Yonkers from 1988 to 1997. Valerioti earned the high honor of being awarded Paramedic of the Year by Westchester County REMAC in 1996 and in the same year took on the title of Vice President of Eastchester EMS as well as the first Paramedic of Eastchester EMS. Valerioti has held the title of President from 2003-2013, 2013-2015, 2015-Present.
CHIEF
NICK LOUROS, EMT-B
Chief Louros joined Eastchester EMS in 2005 and became a NYS EMT in 2006. Fast forward 15 years and numerous officer positions later and Nick is now Chief of the department. In addition to serving as an EMT for Eastchester EMS, Louros has worked for OVAC, Croton VAC, and Dobbs Ferry VAC. Chief Louros's favorite part of Eastchester EMS is seeing new members join as total strangers and watching them create a special bond with the membership. Through helping the community and working in high stress situations, members begin to form a familial relationship that stretches far outside the confines of Eastchester EMS.
DEPUTY CHIEF
MAX GOLDBERG
Deputy Chief Goldberg joined Eastchester EMS in 2008 and became a NYS EMT in 2009. Deputy Chief Goldberg served as Lieutenant in 2014 and has served as our PIO since 2013. In addition to working at Eastchester EMS, Goldberg has worked at the Town of Mamaroneck Ambulance District and Dobbs Ferry VAC. Goldberg's favorite thing about Eastchester EMS is how we continually recruit volunteer members to give back to the community and over time we get to see the members grow into amazing pillars of society.
CAPTAIN
PATRICK BRYSON
LIEUTENANT
GEORGINA TORRES
Lieutenant Torres joined EVAC in 2013 looking to pursue a career in the medical field. Georgina has become an FTO and taken part in training the new members and EMTs that have joined. Georgina was elected to her position of Lieutenant in June 2022. Lt. Torres has enjoyed her time at EVAC serving the town she’s grown up in.
LIEUTENANT
JOSEPH BALAEZ
Lieutenant Balaez joined EVAC in 2014. Prior to joining EVAC, Lieutenant Balaez was an EMT for a Bronx Volunteer Ambulance Corp. for 6 years. Since joining EVAC, Joseph was appointed as EVAC's Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator (PECC), a Field Training Officer (FTO) and also oversees the process of joining EVAC as a member. Lieutenant Balaez truly enjoys the EMS field, serving the community and training/mentoring new EMTs at EVAC.
TREASURER
ANSON AUGUSTINE, MS, MBA, CPA
Anson J. Augustine has been a member of EVAC since September 1993, when he joined through the Senior Service Program at Iona Preparatory School. Anson has previously held the positions of Vice President of Administration and Administrative Lieutenant. Anson has over 17 years of experience in accounting and is currently a Partner at Marcum LLP, where he has worked for the past 12 years. Anson focuses his efforts within the Firm’s SEC Practice Group and works closely with publicly-traded and privately-held companies in numerous industries, as well as consulting on complex accounting and reporting issues. Anson also assists with the management of the Firm’s New York City audit practice, and serves as a member of the Firm’s Training and Development Committee, where he helps develop and advance the careers of professional staff through recruiting, mentoring and serving as the lead instructor for a variety of continuing education seminars. Anson is currently a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA), where he previously served on the Human Resources Committee. Anson holds a Master of Business Administration (Finance and Information Systems) from Fordham University, a Master of Science (Human Resources) from Hofstra University and a Bachelor of Science (Public Accounting) from Fordham University and is a Certified Public Accountant (NY).