Date: Fri 19-Feb-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

ambulance-EMT

Full Text:

Ambulance Corps Had A Record Month In January

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps responded to a record-breaking 150 calls

during the month of January -- starting 1999 off with a bang.

Many of those calls came at the same time, too. There were several double

calls, a handful of triple calls, a few quadruple calls and, on one occasion,

a total of five calls came through at once. Topping it off, the corps was

without one of its three ambulances for a good part of the month.

It takes a dedicated group of people to respond to such an enormous number of

cries for help. Fortunately, the Newtown Ambulance Corps has a group of 54

well-trained people -- the highest membership ever. And they hope to sign up

even more volunteers in the coming months. The group had another busy year in

1998, responding to 1,223 calls -- 15 below the 1996 record.

Of those calls, 680 were for medical reasons, 217 were motor vehicle

accidents, 264 were for non-vehicular trauma and the rest were a combination

of emotional problems and standby.

The ambulance corps responded to each call in an average time of 6.7 minutes,

which is a remarkably short interval considering the huge geographical area it

must cover. Newtown is among the largest towns in the state in terms of total

land mass. Strict training, a direct responder system and an almost 24-hour a

day manning of the ambulance garage have been key factors in the quick

response times.

"We have a wonderful system here in Newtown. Our membership should be

acknowledged for its commitment to EMS," noted assistant chief Kristin

Peterson.

A series of articles in The Hartford Courant last month highlighted fatally

slow response times by some commercial ambulance services. Those paid services

often use their vehicles for more lucrative "non-emergency calls" and

corporate goals often conflict with those of the EMTs, according to the story.

In a volunteer service, money is never an issue, say members of the Newtown

corps.

"A commercial service has money matters to worry about. They need to make it

profitable," Mrs Peterson said. "Volunteers have a different mindset."

Corps member Carol Mayhew agreed, pointing out that Newtown's 54-member corps

is out there for one simple reason: the love of helping the community.

"The volunteer service is more special because you're doing it because you

want to give back," she said.

Liz Cain said the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps continues its efforts to

shorten its response times even more.

Ken Lerman led the 1998 top 10 list of responders with 337. Perennial response

leader Debbie Aubin was second with 282. Rounding out the top five were Kevin

Clyne, 207, Liz Cain, 181, and Rick Johnson, 165. Joe Farrell put on the

corps' bright orange jacket for 151 calls, Chief John Basso responded to 132

calls, and Kristin Peterson was there to help 119 times. Nancy Farrell and

Maria Sadler each responded to 115 calls.

Newtown pays Danbury Hospital more than $100,000 for a medic to respond to

Newtown calls. Last year, a medic responded to 489 calls, was canceled 388

times and was unavailable on 38 occasions. The medic service, which provides

advanced life support, is shared by Newtown, Redding and Bethel.

Since April 17, 1998, the Police Department has been responding to all

ambulance calls in Newtown.

The ambulance corps' executive board consists of John Basso, chief; Kristin

Peterson, assistant chief; Paula Gjerstad, secretary/treasurer; Tom Hanlon,

member at-large; and Liz Cain, member at-large.

EMT Training Course

For those wishing to become a ambulance volunteer, Danbury Hospital will

sponsor an EMT training course at the ambulance garage, beginning March 8. The

120-hour course will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 9 am to 2 pm, and

on some weekends to be determined. The fee is $325. Space is limited.

For more information, call the ambulance garage at 270-4380 and leave your

name and telephone number. Someone will call you back, or call Debbie Aubin at

426-6874.