Queens, NY – Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Fresh Meadows) announced today that she has secured $350,000 in state funding for a new ambulance for Chevra Hatzalah, the volunteer emergency medical service organization that has long served New Yorkers with swift, lifesaving care.

The new ambulance will enhance emergency response capacity in Queens, by adding a 13th vehicle to their fleet. The current truck (photo-right) is the oldest one still in service and was first deployed in 2008. Hatzalah has played a critical role in ensuring timely, culturally competent medical assistance, particularly during high-demand periods and community emergencies with some of the most advanced vehicles in the country. Equipped with four-wheel drive, Hatzalah ambulances are able to provide emergency response through all weather conditions.

“Hatzalah’s presence in our community saves lives,” said Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. “Their volunteers work around the clock to answer calls for help, and I’m proud to have secured $350,000 in state funding to ensure they have the resources they need to continue doing what they do best – protecting our neighbors. This new ambulance will help strengthen their operations and ensure rapid response when every second counts.”

The $350,000 in state funding was allocated as part of Rozic’s ongoing work to bolster community-based healthcare, as well as local emergency and first-responders infrastructure.

Yehiel Kalish, CEO of Chevra Hatzalah, praised the investment: “This new ambulance is more than just a vehicle – it represents our commitment to community care. We are deeply grateful to Assemblywoman Rozic for her partnership, her leadership, and for recognizing how essential our work is to the health and safety of so many New Yorkers.”

This support is more than just funding – it’s a reflection of Assemblywoman Rozic’s unwavering commitment to the health and safety of her district. Her ability to deliver real, tangible resources to trusted community institutions like Hatzalah speaks to her leadership and deep understanding of what matters most to the people she serves. From emergency response to education, Rozic continues to lead with purpose, foresight, and an unshakable dedication to strengthening the fabric of Queens.

Hatzalah, the largest non-profit ambulance service in the United States, initially started in the Fresh Meadows and Hillcrest neighborhoods in 1980. The organization averages 400 medical transports a year for Northeast Queens, and averages three to four critical hospital transports a week. Born out of the need for rapid and culturally sensitive emergency services in Jewish communities, today Queens Hatzalah continues to aid the general public regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or ability to pay.

Additional community investments recently announced by Rozic include a $50,000 grant for a new front yard fence at P.S. 390 in Bayside Hills and a $480,000 grant for a new science lab at P.S.173 in Fresh Meadows.