Bedford-Stuyvesant Volunteer Ambulance Corps gets the rights to their land
The change comes as part of a new bill that looks to create a multi-purpose community space.
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After serving the Bedford-Stuyvesant community since 1988, the Bedford-Stuyvesant Volunteer Ambulance Corps (BSVAC) will now own the land its current location sits on at the intersection of Marcus Garvey Boulevard and Greene Avenue.
The change comes as part of a new bill that looks to create a multi-purpose community space including the BSVAC on that land, and protect the organization from any future rent hikes that could threaten the all-volunteer forces that responds to over 100 calls a month.
"Before we started the wait time for an ambulance on average was over 30 minutes and now we average 4-5 minutes," said Captain Amy Dorfman.
State Assembly member and bill sponsor Stefani Zinerman told News 12 in a statement that "“BSVAC has answered the call for nearly 40 years—without the security of a permanent home. Our land-conveyance bill will finally change that: with Governor Hochul’s signature, BSVAC will own 727 Greene Avenue, unlocking the $6 million in state funding I secured to build a modern health and wellness center. In partnership with Ancient Song Doula Services, we will create a community birthing center, and with Kings Against Violence Initiative, expand trauma-informed violence intervention and youth development. Together, these investments form Bed-Stuy’s first holistic public-health hub—faster emergency response, trusted maternal care, workforce training, and healing spaces that strengthen safety, dignity, and community"
Currently the group cannot utilize city funds to upgrade the space as they continue to lease the space, and cannot make upgrades to certain exterior elements.
The money would go to larger classrooms used to train EMTs and first responders, larger dispatch and storage size for equipment and even potentially more space to store the five ambulance engines as part of their fleet.
"We have been serving the community in this space, we love the work this is our home, and we love it but we are ready for demo-day so that this can be even better," Dorfman said.
"It's so exciting to know the space isn't going to go away, and all the new programs and the more resources for more students to get involved here," said EMT trainee Briana Josheph.
The bill has passed both Assembly and Senate and heads to Gov. Kathy Hochul's desk to sign.
