County Recognizes Generosity of Sag Harbor Ambulance Corps

The Suffolk County Legislature honored the Sag Harbor Volunteer Ambulance Corps for its efforts following Superstorm Sandy, which included donating an ambulance to a fire department in Queens that lost most of its fleet.

Legis. Jay Schneiderman, I-Montauk, presented Eddie Downes, the ambulance corps president, with a proclamation at the legislature's general meeting in Hauppauge on Dec. 4.

The Sag Harbor ambulance, a 2002 model, had just been retired from service and replaced with a new rig that was purchased through donations in the weeks before the hurricane hit Long Island.

The volunteers, along with help from the police and the community, filled the ambulance with clothing, food and toiletries, and a check for $1,200, before delivering it to Broad Channel Fire Department. Located between Howard Beach and the Rockway Peninsula, most of its equipment was either lost or damaged responding to emergencies during the storm.

was trying to decide what to do with one of its older ambulances when another fire department was in desperate need.

“The Sag Harbor Volunteer Ambulance Corps and their members are truly shining examples of what amazing things can be done when a community comes together to help each other in a time of need,” Schneiderman said in a statement on Wednesday. Schneiderman keeps an office in Sag Harbor Village.

Downes said he was honored to accept the proclamation on his corps behalf. "It definitely feels good to be recognized for all our efforts," Downes said on Wednesday.

He said the Broad Channel Fire Department was extremely appreciative. "There's a lot of destruction and ruin up there."