Meet Riverhead’s new volunteer ambulance corps chief, Rod Richardson

Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps has a new chief: Rod Richardson of Middle Island.

Richardson, 49, a nine-year veteran of RVAC, was sworn in this month. He succeeds two-term chief Bill Wilkinson in the post. Richardson served as assistant chief under Wilkinson the past two years.

A former Riverhead resident, Richardson works as a senior court officer in the State Supreme Court in Riverhead, where he’s been employed for 27 years.

“I love Riverhead,” he said in an interview Friday. “I love the people in Riverhead. It’s a great town and I love being part of the experience of the new Riverhead. I like helping the town.”

Volunteering with the ambulance corps has been a very rewarding experience, the new chief said. “People say it’s a thankless job, but it’s not. It’s very rewarding to be able to help people — to help the community,” he said.

RVAC, which handled about 3,400 calls in 2015, saw that number grow to “well in the 4,000 range” in 2016, Richardson said. The numbers are still being tallied.

Working with so many dedicated volunteers is inspiring, the chief said. The corps currently has 80 to 100 members, he said.

“It takes a special person to do this work,” he said.

Sometimes, the work can be emotionally very tough, Richardson said. Volunteers have to see and deal with things that are not soon forgotten. It can take its toll.

“The county has a support network set up. We can call 24/7 for counseling. There’s a crisis team. It’s very useful,” he said. “There’s always help at the other end of the line.”

Serving as his assistant chief is Amanda Zilnicki. The rest of the corps’ officers this year are: Kristin Kurtz and Corinne Kindya, captains; and Heather Zilnicki, Mike Caron, Chris Fleming and Andrej Ceckowski, lieutenants.

Richardson is the father of three daughters. His youngest is a high school senior.