Volunteer Ambulance Corps Explains Its Work to The Public

 By Andrew Gorosko

Residents interested in learning about how the town’s ambulance/paramedic system works had an opportunity to explore the topic during an open house held on Saturday, May 19, at the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps (NVAC) garage at 77 Main Street.

Those attending were able to meet the corps’ emergency medical technicians and also tour the ambulance facility and its vehicles. The ambulance garage is staffed all day and night, seven days a week.

The week ending on May 26 is Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week in Newtown, as proclaimed by First Selectman Pat Llodra. A proclamation reads, in part, “We encourage all citizens to recognize the efforts of Newtown’s Emergency Medical Services personnel and [to] commend the devotion, contributions, and services of the EMS.”

Last year, volunteers donated more than 30,000 man-hours of service and responded to 2,351 medical calls.

NVAC is a private nonprofit organization made up of trained emergency medical technicians who volunteer their time to help others in their community. The NVAC covers an area of more than 60 square miles and is one of the most active volunteer EMS providers in the region.

Corps members provide “basic life support” services to the public. To provide “advanced life support” service, the corps contracts for a paramedic to be housed at the ambulance garage around-the-clock, seven days a week. The group, which was founded in 1940, is privately funded by donations and bequests.

To learn more about the organization, call 203-270-4380 or visit www.newtownambulancect.org.