Riverhead ambulance president: The armory was never a good option for new headquarters

To the Editor:

I am writing in response to the guest column published in RiverheadLOCAL, which discussed concerns about the Riverhead Town Board’s alleged lack of support for the Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance. As the president of the Riverhead Ambulance Corps Board of Directors, I feel compelled to provide accurate information to ensure transparency and a fair representation of the current situation.

Contrary to the claims made in the guest column, I would like to clarify that the Riverhead Ambulance has indeed received substantial support from all Riverhead Town Board members and more specifically our liaison Councilman Tim Hubbard and Councilman Ken Rothwell. The ambulance company has taken significant strides in the right direction by initiating the process of planning for a new building, with the assistance of Morton Buildings. The Town Board has been actively involved since the start of the COVID pandemic when we all realized the shortfalls of our current building. 

It is essential to emphasize that the armory was never a good option for the ambulance due to the high cost of demolition and location, but ultimately the main challenge faced by the Riverhead Ambulance in its pursuit of a new building revolves around funding. As with any substantial project, financial considerations play a critical role in determining its feasibility and timeline. However, the good news is that Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance has taken proactive steps to address this issue within the last few months.

The implementation of the new full ambulance billing program is a testament to their commitment to finding viable funding solutions. By adopting this program, Riverhead Ambulance can generate the needed revenue to offset the costs associated with the new building project. This approach reflects responsible financial planning and ensures that the burden does not fall entirely on the taxpayers.

It is commendable to witness the collaborative efforts between the Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance, Morton Buildings, and the Riverhead Town Board in working together for the benefit of our community. Such initiatives demonstrate the proactive nature of our local leadership and their dedication to the well-being and safety of our residents.

In conclusion, I want to assure our community that the Riverhead Ambulance has the full support of the Riverhead Town Board in their pursuit of a new building and all other needed funding as we ask for it . The commitment to address the funding issue through the full ambulance billing program reflects the responsible approach taken by the Riverhead Ambulance and then board. Let us all stand united in supporting these efforts and in fostering a stronger and safer Riverhead. I hope to deliver more updates in the coming months. Attached are the preliminary drawing developed by Morton Buildings of Cutchogue.

Sincerely,

Garret Lake, president

on behalf of the Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps Board of Directors