The Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps (TVAC) gathered to honor the incredible “CPR Saves” and heroic acts that defined 2025
screenshot courtesy of the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps (TVAC)
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
TEANECK, NJ – In a year defined by split-second decisions and life-saving courage, the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps (TVAC) recently gathered to honor the incredible “CPR Saves” and heroic acts that defined 2025.
From an off-duty EMT saving a teenager at summer camp to a roadside rescue on Route 4, the annual awards dinner on February 9 served as a powerful reminder of the thin line between tragedy and hope.
The “Summer Camp Miracle”: Off-Duty EMT Saves Teen
One of the most emotional moments of the night was the recognition of Malek Elbatrawish. In July 2025, the EMT trainee was off-duty at a summer camp when he discovered a 16-year-old student unconscious.
Without professional equipment on hand, Elbatrawish initiated immediate CPR and utilized the facility’s AED (Automated External Defibrillator). His quick thinking restored the teen’s pulse, allowing for a successful hospital transport and recovery.
Roadside Heroism: The Route 4 Rescue
Volunteer Joseph Harris received a Meritorious Service Award for an act of bravery that sounds like a movie scene. While driving toward the George Washington Bridge on Route 4, Harris witnessed a car accident.
-
The Crisis: The driver was trapped inside a locked vehicle and unresponsive.
-
The Action: Harris smashed the passenger-side window, dragged the patient to safety, and began CPR on the pavement.
-
The Result: With the help of a Fort Lee police officer and an AED, the driver’s pulse was restored.
Celebrating the “CPR Saves” of 2025
Five separate lives were saved last year thanks to the expert coordination of TVAC crews. The following teams were recognized for achieving ROSC (Return of Spontaneous Circulation) in the field:
-
The Basketball Game Save: Kevin Gibbs, off-duty while coaching, saved a student who collapsed on the court.
-
The Rapid Response (March 27): A crew using automatic chest compressors and AEDs revived a patient with no pulse before even reaching the hospital.
-
The En-Route Revival (June 29): A team managed to restore a patient’s pulse while the ambulance was in motion.
Beyond the Heart: A New Life and Strong Partnerships
It wasn’t just about stopping tragedy; it was about starting new chapters. On August 20, 2025, a TVAC crew (Zachary Kohn, Andreas Cabrera, and Ezra Neugroschl) successfully delivered a healthy baby girl in the back of an ambulance.
The night also highlighted the seamless partnership between Teaneck’s departments. Sgt. Stephen Morena was honored for his life-saving use of a tourniquet on a bleeding patient, and members of the Teaneck Fire Department were recognized for assisting with complex patient extractions.
TVAC 2025 Honor Roll
| Award | Recipients |
| Meritorious Service | Malek Elbatrawish, Kevin Gibbs, Joseph Harris |
| Baby Delivery Award | Zachary Kohn, Andreas Cabrera, Ezra Neugroschl |
| Life Membership | Jacob Finkelstein, Ben Rosler |
| Meritorious Unit | Daniel Senter, Joseph MacDiarmid, Ariella Winslow, and others |
Supporting the Volunteers
The Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps relies on the dedication of these neighbors who give their time to save lives. Their success in 2025 proves that in Teaneck, you are never alone in an emergency.
Tell your story #TheRidgewoodblog , #Indpendentnews, #information, #advertise, #guestpost, #affiliatemarketing,#NorthJersey, #NJ , #News, #localnews, #bergencounty, #sponsoredpost, #SponsoredContent, #contentplacement , #linkplacement, Email: [email protected]
Tags: #TeaneckNJ #BergenCounty #FirstResponders #CPRSaves #TVAC #LocalHeroes #NJNews #VolunteerLife
