Volunteer Ambulance Launches Fund Drive

The Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Association (NVAA) has launched its annual fund drive by mailing letters to each home and business in Newtown. The mailing went out last Wednesday.

The all-volunteer ambulance corps has been growing as a reflection of the growth of the town. For the last several years the number of emergency calls has been increasing by double-digit percentages. As a result, the volunteer corps of dedicated emergency medical technicians has increased to more than 60 people.

 The money raised in this fundraiser pays not only for the ambulances and medical supplies, but for the increased amount of highly technical training that the volunteers, who are emergency medical technicians (EMTs), must received to stay certified. Since 9/11 additional training requirements for other types of medical emergencies has increased the level of preparedness.

 This fundraiser provides about 70 percent of the corps’ annual operating costs. The reminder of the costs are usually covered by bequests, “In Memory Of” donations and some investment income. Obviously, none of this income is guaranteed.

The NVAA depends on the support of the community to keep this an all-volunteer organization. Donations can be made using the requests mailed to each home or by sending the contribution to the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Association, PO Box 344, Newtown, CT 06470.

 The NVAA recently elected new officers. They include Bill Wiemels, president; Tricia Johnson, vice president; Bruce Herring, treasurer, and Mary Ellen Lydem, secretary. Other board members include Malcolm McLachlan, Francis Pennarola, Dr David Charash, Steve Savarese, Joanne Wilson, and Laurie Wrabel.

 The Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps officers are Ken Appley, chief; Liz Cain, assistant chief.