WEMS By the Numbers

In its first year of operation, WEMS treated 1,227 patients, with Saturdays being the busiest day, with 207. We handled 36 calls on I-95, 9 on Rt 15 and 21 at Sherwood Island. Unit 35 (1977 modular) responded to 957 of the calls and unit 36 (1973 Cadillac) to 270. Also in that first year the new volunteers worked 12,201 hours. Over the 25 years WEMS has been treating patients, we have seen over 45,800 patients and volunteered over 542,134 hours. As for the 1973 Cadillac ambulance, it was a Miller-Meteor with 48” of headroom and it cost, $21,900. Unit 35 was a Providence Body modular ambulance and cost $28,904. In its 25 year history WVEMS has purchased ten ambulances and seven support vehicles at a cost of over $5,000,000!

The First Ten Years

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Westport News December 19, 1979, announced the newly elected officers of the Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service: Neil Harding, President, Suki Williams, Vice President, Dorothy Jean Roe, Secretary, William Carrick, Treasurer, Susan Wofsey, Russell Blair, Kathleen Troy, Alan Stolz, Paul Peterson, Thomas Keenan, and William Shockley, members of the Executive Board. There were approximately 80 members, 40 of them EMTs. The first EMT course began with 40 students.

The defensive driving training program began to teach members how to drive the 1977 Ford ambulance and the 1974 Dodge van.

After the rear axle fell off the ambulance on I-95, a fund raiser held in the Spring of 1980 for a new ambulance.

Marketing Corporation of America and its President, James McManus, donated the first ambulance.

May 1980 - corps members received their first orange jackets.

December 1980 - two ambulances were delivered to EMS, one purchased by the Town and the other by MCA.

Westport News of July 29, 1981 article stated that during the first year of operation there were 12,000 hours of volunteer time. They purchased their first ambulance, conducted blood pressure screenings, purchased MAST trousers and two "Thumpers", and provided medical coverage to local athletic events.

1983-84- responded to over 1,600 calls.

10/23/84 - Russell Blair elected President, Roger Ameden Vice President, Madee Veno Secretary, Pat Audley Treasurer, Lynne Minsky and Neil Harding elected to Board.

10/24/84 - First Selectman William Seiden gives OK to Public Site and Building Commission to pursue necessary approvals from town boards and commissions for proposed renovations to Westport Police Department Headquarters and EMS facility.

WEMS first in state to provide advanced life support techniques for patients in cardiac arrest. One-third of the EMTs have been qualified in defibrillation technique. At least one EMT-D will be in every three-person crew.

10/84 -- EMS trained 300 people in CPR.

New EMT course to start January 1985; $45.00 for textbooks and materials.

12/7/84 - Leo and Libby Nevas donate WVEMS' first full size ambulance, at a cost of $44,000, with four radio systems: C-MED, HEAR, WPD and CP.

2/1/85 - Artist's view of slated renovations published in Westport News.

5/22/85 - "Vial of Life" program began listing patient's condition, blood type, allergies, required medications, doctor's name, hospital preference, and insurance coverage. This vial is placed in upper right hand refrigerator shelf, with a sticker on outside door of refrigerator. Teams will be sent out to help people fill out the form and place sticker.

8/16/85 - Westport News -- WVEMS signed a 20 year lease with the Town of Westport for use of the new EMS facility.

Bidders on the renovation and building due by 11/26/85 on 14,000 sq. ft. addition and renovations; extended to 12/10/85.

12/85 - WVEMS expects 2,000 calls in 1986.

11/23 & 24/85 - second annual CPR weekend of training.

5/2/86 - Contract signed by Marty Hauhuth with Frank Mercedes & Sons for construction. Groundbreaking set for 5/5/86.

6/20/86 -- 13 teens started Explorer Post 442 with sponsorship of six agencies, including WEMS. All have already completed CPR and basic First Aid training and are taking MRT training.

Westport News 4/22/87 - 60% of the current roster of EMS volunteers do not live in Westport. During the last half of 1986, the corps responded to 1,064 calls, the largest number, 335 for illness. In an interview with Ed Audley, the article said his family has been the cornerstone of the Westport ambulance service since 1920, and that he has probably been on more than 10,000 calls -- but never delivered a baby. Went on to say that WVEMS raises all the money for its capital expenses, including purchase of ambulances and equipment through fund raising.

4/29/87 - WVEMS benefited from the proceeds of Fairfield County Hunt Club's 64th Annual Show.

7/31/87 - Westport Elks Lodge #2077 purchased new modular ambulance to replace the old van-style one.

Westport News 7/31/87 - front page article on WEMS exploring adding paramedic service. While EMTs can do IV fluids and respiratory therapy, they can't administer drugs.

January 1988 - moved into new quarters.

1988 - WVEMS awarded the J C Penney Golden Rule Award.

4/88 - WVEMS honored 4/22 for outstanding volunteerism by the Hartford Courant at the 6th annual Volunteer Recognition Banquet. Noted that WVEMS responded to about 2,000 emergency calls a year, and provided 1,000 hours of standby medical coverage at athletic and community events.

April 1988 - Dr. Joel Singer underwrites the 8 CPR classes given by WVEMS between 5/1 and 8/1.

Westport News - 4/1/88 -- Finance Board voted 4 to 2 to keep paramedic service in the budget as presented by the First Selectman and EMS Director Audley. Last hurdle will be the RTM budget hearings.

Westport News 7/1/88 - Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to let EMS charge a fee for ambulance service, paving the way for providing paramedic service through a contract with Norwalk Hospital. Inspector Ed Audley will go the State OEMS to set the fee. He expects State approval by July 31st and paramedics on board by late September or early October.

Westport News - 7/6/88 - Festival Italiano will donate part of proceeds to WEMS. (WVEMS provides a large medical treatment area at the Festival.) 11/20/88 -- $3,000 actual donation by the Sons of Italy.

8/6/88 - newly renovated police station is dedicated to the Town. Took two years and cost $3.5 million. U.S. Congressman Christopher Shays donated a U.S. flag which had been flown over the Capitol building in Washington D.C.

Dec. 19, 1988 - paramedic service provided by Norwalk Hospital began with the signing of a one-year contract. Paramedic Arnault Baker worked the first shift in Westport. Town will pay $181,332 for one year's service 24/7 with paramedic staged in town. Westport's ambulance service began in 1930 when, according to Inspector Audley, "...there was no real medical training or background. Patients were wrapped in a blanket to immobilize them and the driver drove as fast as he could to the hospital.

1/7/89 - Paramedic Jim Beausoleil administering cardiac drugs and defibrillation to a patient in cardiac arrest while en route to Norwalk Hospital was credited with the first life saved of the new Paramedic service.

11/4/89 -- Open House for 10th Anniversary.

Compiled from the WVEMS scrapbooks by Sue Dewitt

The Presidents

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"Why We Do What We DO"

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I am the formless body frantically working in the back of the ambulance speeding by. I am the faceless person carefully removing the shattered body from the bowels of the wrecked automobile. I am the orange jacket that comes to your home in response to your call for aid in the middle of the night.

You don't know me, but I know you.

I have shared your exhilaration in the cry of a newborn babe. And I have comforted with unheard words when you were told that your child was no more.

I have seen the young faces of your old people who serenely await the fate that will free them from their pain and loneliness. And I have seen the old faces of your young people who have abused their minds and their bodies with drugs.

I have gained strength from the valiant struggle of sick and wasted bodies that fought for each breath and for each heartbeat until they could fight no more. And I have despaired in the abject surrender of strong, wonderful bodies that had not will to fight.

I have marveled at your calm acceptance of the agony of indescribable injuries, and I have cried for you. And I have held you as you retched and swore at me because I could not ease your suffering.

I held you and I understood your pain and your fear while I curse my own helplessness. And you have taken me to the emotional heights of my life. You have shown me courage and you have shown me beauty as few are privileged to see them.

And you have taken me to the emotional depths of my life. You have shown me cowardice and you have shown me ugliness as few are forced to see them.

You don't know me, but I know you. I know you because I have seen you at your best… and at your worst.

I am an EMT.

Authored by: Earl Neff, 1984

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Our 25th Anniversery

"Why We Do What We DO"