Although the new state-of-the-art New Hyde Park Fire Department ambulance has been in operation for almost three months, last Sunday in the parking lot behind the New Hyde Park Fire House, the new ambulance was formally christened.

All the proud members of the Emergency Medical Team and paramedics along with the members of the Rescue Squad, the fire commissioners, the fire chief and many members of the fire department along with distinguished guests were on hand for the momentous occasion.

The ceremony began with an impressive tolling of the Liberty Bell in remembrance of the members of the department who died during the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on September 11.

The guests including: Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello, Town of Hempstead Councilman Edward Ambrosino, a representative from the County Executive's office, Robert Mazor and Mayor of New Hyde Park Daniel Petruccio all came to the podium, gave a few brief words of praise to the fire department and to the rescue squad and presented certificates of appreciation. Also present was New York State Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell, who was delayed in arriving.

Rescue Captain George A. Savarese came to the podium and first thanked the commissioners and the ambulance committee and especially Marie Cochran for all the hard work that went into the purchase of the new ambulance. He explained, to the assembled crowd, what makes this ambulance so unique is that it is much larger than any other ambulance due to the fact that it is a Ford 2003 PL Custom Emergency vehicle which has a heavier payload and is therefore a more comfortable ride for its patients. The ambulance is capable of holding two stretcher patients and three seated patients or four seated patients and one stretcher patient.

Captain Savarese said, "This new ambulance is as fully-equipped as any emergency room and we can administer that kind of care in the all important first few minutes after any trauma or stroke occurs. On board are two defibrillators and it is equipped for pediatric trauma. On board at all times will be fully trained EMTs and paramedics and due to the technology equipment contained in the new ambulance the EMTs are constantly in touch with an emergency room doctor during transport."

The Chairman of the New Hyde Park Fire Commissioners, Reid Sakowich presented Captain George Savarese with the keys to the ambulance. This was followed by a brief prayer by Pastor of the New Hyde Park Baptist Church Eric Olaf Olsen who then anointed the ambulance with oils and a prayer that everyone riding in the ambulance would be safe.

To end the ceremony Captain Savarese's wife Kathy Savarese came front and center with a bottle of champagne that she deftly broke over the front of the ambulance and the dedication was officially completed.

Delving back into the history of New Hyde Park ambulances, it was related by Captain Savarese.that.the New Hyde Park Fire Department did not start to petition for an ambulance until the mid-40s and before the entire amount of funds could be raised Willie Rueck, the since deceased owner of the New Hyde Park Inn, commissioned an auto body shop to build an ambulance, which was paid for out of his own funds. In 1948 when it was completed he donated it to the department and the New Hyde Park Department had its first ambulance.