Monroe County Legislature Honors Michael E. Pollock

ROCHESTER, NY—The Monroe County Legislature (NY) recently honored Michael E. Pollock, a Brighton resident, recognizing his role in making Monroe County a better place to live.

Pollock served nearly 35 years with Brighton Volunteer Ambulance (BVA), where he still actively volunteers, despite retiring as an EMT and lieutenant. Pollock retired from the NYS Dept of Correctional Services as a correction sergeant, deputy fire chief, and firefighter after 28 years, two years with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, and six years with the Brighton Police Department.

Pollock also volunteered for 25 years with the Monroe County Office of Emergency Preparedness Radiological/Chemical Response team in a supervisory role.

While off duty, Pollock rescued two neighbors. One was an electrocuted senior citizen in full cardiac arrest, and the other an infant in full respiratory arrest. During the pandemic he used the contacts he had developed as BVA's government liaison to reach out to then-NYS Gov. Cuomo to issue an executive order declaring all EMS personnel essential workers.

Pollock is an advisor to Ezras Nashim, a BLS ambulance and first responder service in Boro Park–Brooklyn, the only all-women Orthodox Jewish EMS organization in the United States.

He participated in the National EMS Memorial Bike ride during his recovery from a total knee replacement by using a stationary exercise bike in physical therapy to ride virtual miles to raise funds for the proposed National EMS Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Pollock serves on the board of directors of Brighton Volunteer Ambulance and the Society for Total Emergency Programs (STEP) Council of the Genesee Region, as well as serving in an ex-officio role on the NYS EMS Memorial Service committee. He is an NAEMT member and works on their advocacy committee, including participating in NAEMT's EMS on the Hill Day. He is also a member of the NYS Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association. He secured over $500,000 in funding to expand the Brighton Volunteer Ambulance Base.

Pollock serves on the Temple Beth El Synagogue Security Committee. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Learning Disabilities Association of the Genesee Valley and the Brighton Rowing Club.