Bedford-Stuyesant Volunteer Ambulance Corps

We save lives. We grow heroes.

Brooklyn, NY   |  www.bsvac.org

Mission

BSVAC, the nation's first ethnically inclusive volunteer ambulance corops, was created in response to the crisis in emergency medical care that afflicts New York's minority communities. BSVAC established a record-breaking ambulance service that responds to over 100 emergency calls a month with an average response time of less than 4 minutes. BSVAC has also trained thousands of people in life-saving skills; over 100 graduates of BSVAC's training programs have become EMTs, nurses, physician's assistants, or doctors.

Notes from the nonprofit

BSVAC can be seen as one of the original embodiments of Black lives matter. We have been saving lives, predominantly Black lives, since 1988, and we have been training our community (predominantly Black) in life-saving skills since then. We save lives; we grow heroes.

Ruling year info

1994

President

Antoine Robinson

Main address

727 Greene Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11221 USA

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EIN

11-2957898

NTEE code info

Ambulance/Emergency Transport (E62)

Youth Development Programs (O50)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

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Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

BSVAC was formed in 1988 to address the crisis in emergency medical services afflicting minority communities. BSVAC has been able to bring ambulance response times down to a record-breaking average of less than 4 minutes in its operating area. As a result, BSVAC has been very successfully in addressing the its initial goal; we have saved countless lives and we continue to respond to emergency calls. Unfortunately, however, minority communities continue to suffer disproportionately poor health, as well as limited educational and vocational opportunities. BSVAC is addressing both these problems through our neighborhood first aid station and youth training programs. By providing training in emergency medical skills to youngsters, BSVAC provides pathways to essential employment. BSVAC also provides health information and health screening at its neighborhood first aid station.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Emergency medical services/disaster preparedness/youth training

BSVAC operates two programs: Medical (emergency medical services/disaster preparedness) and Training (medical instruction/workforce development).
Medical: In continuous operation since 1988, BSVAC is the busiest volunteer ambulance service for its size in the nation, answering over 100 calls per month. BSVAC's primary territory is Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn; BSVAC also responds to emergencies outside of Brooklyn. BSVAC also maintains a neighborhood first-aid station, provides EMT standby throughout NYC and participates in community wellness events.
Training: BSVAC offers a full range of emergency medical care training, from CPR through First Responder, and provides EMT training sponsorshiBSVAC has developed a comprehensive emergency medical training program (including First Responders, Trauma Troopers and Youth Corps), which prepares individuals for full employment as EMTs.

Population(s) Served
Adults
Ethnic and racial groups

Where we work

Our Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

BSVAC seeks to continue its live-saving and life-changing work, by responding to emergency calls, helping our community learn more about health, and providing training in emergency medical skills.

BSVAC's strategies are to continue to build on its proven track record of saving and changing lives since 1988.

BSVAC operates a certified ambulance service and training programs, with dozens of volunteer EMTs and paramedics devoting their time and skills. Funding is the only limitation; additional funding translates to additional ambulances.

BSVAC recently purchased another (used) ambulance.

Financials

Bedford-Stuyesant Volunteer Ambulance Corps
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

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Bedford-Stuyesant Volunteer Ambulance Corps

Board of directors
as of 02/22/2022
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Antoine Robinson

N/A

Term: 2019 -

Tamsin Wolf

N/A

James Robinson

N/A

Walter Maffei

N/A

Vernice Robinson

N/A

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 5/22/2021

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
Black/African American/African
Gender identity
Male
Sexual orientation
Decline to state
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

 

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

Equity strategies

Last updated: 05/22/2021

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Data
  • We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
  • We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
  • We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
Policies and processes
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
  • We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
  • We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
  • We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.