Tamsin Wolf Ambulance Dedication
Tamsin Wolf Ambulance Dedication
On February 19, 2007 at the corner of Greene Ave. and Marcus Garvey Blvd. in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, Tamsin Wolf was honored by the Bedford Stuyvesant Volunteer Ambulance Corps (BSVAC). Captain James "Rocky" Robinson, founder of the BSVAC dedicated an ambulance to Tamsin Wolf in honor of her long-standing support of the Brooklyn non-profit organization.
The BSVAC was founded by Robinson in response to the lack of adequate emergency medical services in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Hundreds of lives have been saved by BSVAC, whether stabbing/shooting, traffic accidents, cardiac arrests, or asthma victims; the volunteers are at the scene with an average response time of 4 minutes. In addition, BSVAC serves as a training facility to have volunteers certified as Emergency Medical Technicians. This organization provides more than medical services to the Bed-Stuy community, but also serves as a learning and community center for the neighborhood. Bed-Stuy has seen a dramatic drop in crime rates in recent times; however the painful memories of the crack epidemic are still present. Furthermore, the community is still underserved, but improving, with regards to medical services when compared to other New York City neighborhoods.
Faced with crippling financial constraints, the BSVAC continues to function as a serious emergency medical service. The ambulance dedicated to Tamsin Wolf is unbelievably one-half of the "fleet" that belongs to the organization. The need for additional funding is quite apparent when visiting the BSVAC headquarters. On the corner of Greene Ave. and Marcus Garvey Blvd. stands a run-down trailer in a dilapidated lot where BSVAC is based. It is quite amazing that this organization is able to function efficiently in this tiny trailer. Finally, the city has recognized the value of BSVAC, and Brooklyn borough President Marty Markowitz has aided in securing $135,000 to provide a new trailer. The volunteers appear to be quite grateful for this "gift" and the efforts of Marty Markowitz.
The fact that Rocky Robinson's vision is still being fulfilled after eighteen years is not only a testament to the necessity of the organization, but also how the support of volunteers, such as Tamsin Wolf, has sustained its operations. On the day of the dedication, Wolf's family showed their support for her and the organization, as her young kids learned about the ambulances from a BSVAC volunteer. As we took a spin around the neighborhood in the dedicated ambulance, I asked why she has stayed involved with the organization over the years. She responded with a question, "Have you met Rocky? Tamsin explained when you meet someone that is as passionate and serious about saving lives as Rocky; you can not help but share the same enthusiasm. Tamsin is an energetic and intelligent personality, and after speaking with her you realize her knowledge goes beyond non-profit organization legal issues. She astutely describes the issue of lack of healthcare in Bed-Stuy, which is adding to the burden the BSVAC must face each day. She alerts me to an unexpected problem that is chronically plaguing the community, asthma. Due to the lack of preventative care low-income individuals, especially children, are highly dependent on emergency rooms for treatment of asthma.
Tamsin is highly optimistic about the future but alerts me to many of the pressing concerns facing BSVAC in the future. Funds, Funds, Funds — funds are desperately needed for day-to-day operations. The high price of gas is straining their budget, as it can cost over $100 a day to fuel one ambulance. Ambulance insurance rates are a huge percentage of the cost of operations for BSVAC. Medical supplies and other necessary equipment constantly need replacement. Even though, Marty Markowitz has aided in obtaining funds for a new trailer, Rocky and Tamsin hope one day soon BSVAC will have a permanent structure, such as a building, to use as the BSVAC headquarters, training academy, and community center.
Before leaving BSVAC, Tamsin invites me into the trailer for food and refreshments. While eating my kosher plate of food, I witness the dynamism of Tamsin and this organization. A volunteer in sunglasses approaches Ms. Wolf and both are familiar with each other. He states his aim to enroll in law school, and would like advice on what schools to consider. Tamsin gladly offers her knowledge and I leave knowing that this is not the first or the last individual who will be helped by BSVAC.
When she is not providing assistance and support through fundraising, bookkeeping, grant proposals, and professional expertise to the BSVAC; she serves as the Assistant General Counsel for Time Warner, provides pro bono legal services to various non-profit organizations, and raises two bright children.
-Herston Elton Powers
