Greenwich Emergency Medical Service Honors Staff, Volunteers

They are on call around the clock.

Regardless of the weather or circumstances, the staff and volunteers of the Greenwich Emergency Medical Service (GEMS) have been providing care to town residents for 28 years. And in keeping with that tradition, GEMS held its annual ‘Evening of Honors’ celebrating the dedication of those who keep the operation running more smoothly than an EKG.

Nearly 100 people attended the Wednesday evening fete at the Grass Island Boat & Yacht Club that included accolades to GEMS from Greenwich resident George Lasky who survived a heart attack while at a local sports club.

Club staff member Joe Dominguez began CPR on Lasky whose heart began beating again after Greenwich Master Police Officer David Colbree used an automated external defibrillator that all Greenwich Police carry. GEMS personnel took over the treatment of Lasky.

“I would not be standing here tonight addressing all of you if it were not for this team of people. I cannot begin to thank them enough. We are lucky to have this team of people in Greenwich, CT,” Lasky said.

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Lasky’s medical call was one of the there highlights of the year in which patients survived the odds that were outlined by GEMS Deputy Director Art Romano.Greenwich Police Officers Michael Panza and John D’Iverno, paramedic Chris Tremblay, operations manager Tracy Schietinger, and emergency medical technicians Rob Camp and Danielle Runyon were honored for their life-saving efforts with another cardiac patient and a youngster who suffered a traumatic head injury in a cycling accident.

Those calls were among the more than 6,000 911 calls GEMS answers each year, according to Executive Director Charlee Tufts. She said that more than 60 percent of those calls require advanced life support treatment and that GEMS has notched a cardiac arrest survival rate of 40 percent — five times higher than the national average of 8 percent of all patients.

The evening also included the awarding of several scholarships for GEMS staff and volunteers who are continuing the medical training education. The awardees included Tremblay, Josh Kovalsky, Sherry Hoffman and teen volunteer Ryan Keller.

Employee Lori Phillips was given the Years of Service Award for her work with the agency since 1997 handling duties ranging from dispatching ambulances when she started, to current duties that include billing and scheduling. She’s leaving GEMS this summer to work in the Greenwich Emergency Dispatch Center at police headquarters.

The Outstanding Service — Training Award was presented to Betty Bernstein who leads all training courses and community education programs in the town’s public and private schools as well town departments. Bernstein is retiring after 20 years with GEMS.

The Volunteer of the Year award was given to Victoria Close for her “dedication to the medical field.” Accounts receivables manger Antonetta Paniccia received the Career Person of the Year Award and Tremblay received the Medical Director’s Award.

There also was recognition to several Greenwich teens who participate in the GEMS Explorer Post 911 program where they receive training in the basics of first aid and help with various community outreach programs including blood pressure reading clinics. Explorer Post senior advisor Eirinn Rickard said the program is open to any teen who’s at least 14 and there about 30 active members.

Teens who are interested in joining can contact Rickard at 203-637-7505, ext. 220 or erickard@greenwichems.org.

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• Replacement of Old Greenwich Rail Bridges Set to Begin
• Greenwich Shoplifting Suspect Faces Forgery, Criminal Impersonation Charges
• Cooking Up a Storm -- St. Paul’s Church Preparing Weekend Pot Roast Dinner

Photo credit: Barbara Heins.