In this installment of our periodic series spotlighting local service organizations—see recent installments here and here—we turn to New Canaan Emergency Medical Services or ‘EMS.’
We put some questions to EMT Wendy Fog about the nonprofit organization, which is offering its training class in January (info here).
Here’s our exchange.
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New Canaanite: Please give our readers some background on New Canaan EMS formerly known as NCVAC. When was the organization founded? Under what circumstances?
New Canaan EMS
Wendy Fog: New Canaan EMS is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2025. Founded in 1975 a few local citizens recognized the need for high quality emergency medical care in our community. And they wanted it to be totally free of charge for everyone. With one ambulance, responding out of the basement of Town Hall the New Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corps trained and certified as Emergency Medical Technicians. These people responded 12 hours/day on weekdays and round the clock coverage on weekends. All volunteers.
In 1983, NCVAC headquarters moved to 182 South Avenue – a former high school shop facility. Perfect for housing our now two ambulances and sleeping quarters for our expanded crews who now responded to all emergencies 24/7. Still all volunteers. By 1987, all members were certified to use AED’s (Automatic External Defibrillators). And the Town of New Canaan entered into a contract with Norwalk Hospital to provide on-site Paramedic Service 24/7. This means that we have the highest possible pre-hospital medical care. In 2009, we moved our headquarters to a new, state of the art facility. Built to be state of the art for decades to come, our now 5 vehicles and more than 58, highly trained and certified volunteer EMT’s respond to all calls, 24/7.
On 9/11, NCVAC responded to the World Trade Center to treat the many expected wounded. There were none. We came home a day later, profoundly saddened, but with an even great commitment to serve whenever and wherever needed.
Since then, we have rebranded our name to New Canaan EMS, expanded our services to teaching Hands-Only CPR and AED classes to the community, teaching Stop-The-Bleed to teachers and other organizations, visiting schools to teach our children safety and healthy choices, and providing service to community events. And we are still entirely volunteer, and entirely free of any charge to anyone in New Canaan who calls for our professional services. It is our commitment that we will always be here.
What can you share about NCEMS plans to mark it’s 50th year as a volunteer EMS service in New Canaan?
New Canaan EMS
We will have some internal plans for our membership in addition to more public planning and marketing, such as articles in the paper and new signage on our ambulances, banner in the parade and on our headquarters.
What do you think draws people to join EMS and what keeps them on with an organization than can involve so much commitment?
Our members are New Canaan residents and out of town residents who believe that it is our duty to give back to the citizens of New Canaan. Some were called after September 11th, many have had their lives touched by a traumatic or medical experience involving EMS and wanted to give back, some have a deep calling to service and want to help people in their time of need.
In truth, this elite group of people, who have saved a life, held the hand of a dying man, cradled a sick baby, eased the panic of a loved one and who have amazing stories of human strength and wisdom are the ones who are blessed. Blessed because they experience the full range of human engagement; the fragility of life, the shared emotional connection with their patients, the chance to make a profound difference in someone’s life and be a part of a family of caregivers,
The things we see and the people that we touch are forever with us. EMS changes who you are. Humbles you, makes you grateful. That is the gift and why our members stay. Still all volunteer -we are neighbors helping neighbors.
New Canaan EMS on Sept. 11, 2024, at the town’s annual 9/11 ceremony. Credit: Michael Dinan
What would you say to someone who is interested in learning more about what it takes to join NCEMS and what is involved?
Please stop by our headquarters to speak to a member on duty, talk to a friend or relative who is affiliated with New Canaan EMS or visit our website https://newcanaanems.org/. We are happy to spend time with you and answer any questions Still all volunteer -we are neighbors helping neighbors.
How is EMS funded?
NCEMS is a public-private partnership with the Town of New Canaan. The Town pays a portion of NCEMS’s expenses and the rest of NCEMS’s expenses are funded from generous donations received throughout the year, including from our annual appeal. Still all volunteer -we are neighbors helping neighbors.
What else, if anything, would you like to say about NCEMS?
Come join our amazing organization and be a part of the New Canaan EMS family!
Click here for information on the next training session offered by New Canaan EMS.
How lucky we are to have such a skilled and dedicated group as our EMS team. Many thanks for countless hours on duty and being selfless volunteers!
I was fortunate to serve on the EMS Building Committee chaired by Jim Beall. It is a wonderful facility. My recollection is that a single solicitation mailing from the organization to every New Canaan household yielded the funds to build and furnish the entire building. A true testament to the high regard and gratitude the Town residents have for what I believe is the only all-volunteer EMS organization among Connecticut’s 169 towns. Congratulations on the first 50 years!
Congratulations and Thank You to every member of the New Canaan EMS Team; past, present, and future. New Canaan is the wonderful community we all know and love because of the tremendous spirit of philanthropy and volunteerism that is so steeped in our history. While virtually every local non-profit is the beneficiary of that support, there is no other volunteer commitment that approaches that of our local NC EMS members. Their dedication to training and hours of service are unmatched. They are a group that truly goes above and beyond for their fellow neighbors. You each wear the EMS uniform with pride, and we are so fortunate to have you on call 24/7! With much gratitude, Leo