The Indian Lake Volunteer Ambulance Corps

It's 3 o'clock in the morning and the phone has started to ring. The dispatcher wakes up and glances out her window as she reaches for it, hoping that it isn't anything serious this time. She knows that the weather is treacherous, well below zero, and that the wind is blowing fresh snow with a vengeance. She takes the information and sends the first call out over her two-way radio, "This is dispatch calling for duty crew." An EMT, driver, and aide all respond within minutes and await the details as they hurriedly dress and prepare to head out into the cold night. They all pray that it isn't serious, that it isn't a friend or a family member that needs their assistance tonight.

This is an example of how a call for help from the Indian Lake Volunteer Ambulance Corps begins. When you need medical assistance, anytime, day or night you can be certain that there is a group of people ready and able to help. They are just ordinary people who are there to serve you and provide high-quality pre-hospital care when you are in need. They are your neighbors, your friends, and possibly even your relatives.

Indian Lake Volunteer Ambulance Corps is an ALL VOLUNTEER organization! Our dispatchers provide 24 hour a day phone coverage, 365 days a year. Every Ambulance transport is staffed by a minimum of a driver, an EMT, and an aide. We have a Junior Ambulance Corps made up of high school students who have been trained as aides to assist at scenes and on the ambulance. Some Junior Corp members have gone on and taken courses to become certified First Responders, EMT's, and Paramedics.

Other members do not actually ride the ambulance but provide very valuble administrative assistance to the Corps. A call for assistance usually means a commitment of a minimum of three hours. Our ambulance transports patients to Glens Falls Hospital. This is over 50 miles one way!

Some people ask, "why would you get up out of a nice warm bed, in the middle of the night to spend three hours in the back of an ambulance?" I think I can speak for the most, if not all of our members. We all CARE. We care for our friends and neighbors and want to be there for them when they need our help. We care for our community and the beautiful area that we live in! This is our way of "giving back".

If you are interested in joining our organization, ask any member and they will be happy to answer any questions you have and get you an application.

Donations may be mailed to ILVAC. Indian Lake, NY 12842.