First Responders Honored, National EMS Week Observed In West Haven

Written by Michael P. Walsh

WEST HAVEN, CT — The city marked the 50th anniversary of National Emergency Medical Services Week on Tuesday, May 21, with Mayor Dorinda Borer issuing proclamations to first responders and city employees receiving lifesaving training.

After opening remarks by West Haven Emergency Management Director Rick Fontana, Borer welcomed emergency medical services, fire officials and city employees to City Hall for the special observance and hands-on training.

Borer delivered remarks before presenting National EMS Week proclamations saluting the members of the city’s three fire departments — West Haven Fire Department, West Shore Fire Department and City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown — as well as the members of the West Haven Police Department and American Medical Response of New Haven.

National EMS Week runs through May 25.

“West Haven is a HeartSmart city, and in keeping with that HeartSmart city initiative, we want to make sure that everybody is up to date in our training,” said Borer, who thanked Fontana for leading the training and for hitting the ground running since taking over as the city’s EMD in February.

The mayor continued: “We’re also going to talk about Narcan: 1,500 deaths in Connecticut in 2022 because of opioid overdoses. I know you all know a family that lost a loved one and the devastation that comes with this opioid crisis. And that’s just 2022 statistics; we don’t even have 2023 statistics yet.

“So this is a great time to do all of this training because it is EMS Week, and we want to recognize our EMS workers.”

Reading West Shore’s proclamation, Borer said, “National EMS Week is an opportunity to recognize the dedication, sacrifice and professionalism of our EMS first responders who serve on the front lines, often risking their own safety to ensure the health and well-being of others.”

Fontana followed by demonstrating an automated external defibrillator and answering employees’ questions.

The city recently installed grant-funded AED kits and Narcan emergency overdose kits in many municipal buildings and public places around West Haven.

Each Lifepak AED kit contains gloves, a face mask, scissors and a razor, as well as a Narcan overdose kit with two 4-milligram nasal sprays. Narcan is a brand name for a device that delivers the opioid-overdose antidote naloxone.

After the ceremony, held in the Harriet C. North Community Room, about 100 employees broke into small groups in the second-floor hallway to receive training from more than 20 paramedics and EMTs in performing hands-only CPR, using an AED and administering Narcan.

The first-of-its-kind training for city employees consisted of two hourlong sessions.

West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer delivers remarks observing the 50th anniversary of National Emergency Medical Services Week and honoring first responders during a ceremony at City Hall on Tuesday, May 21. As part of the event, about 100 city employees received training from more than 20 paramedics and EMTs in performing hands-only CPR, using an automated external defibrillator and administering Narcan, a brand name for a device that delivers the opioid-overdose antidote naloxone. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer reads a National EMS Week proclamation saluting the members of the city’s three fire departments — West Haven Fire Department, West Shore Fire Department and City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown — as well as the members of the West Haven Police Department and American Medical Response of New Haven. With Borer are, from left, West Shore Chief Stephen Scafariello, West Haven Deputy Chief William S. Johnson IV, city Emergency Management Director Rick Fontana and West Shore Deputy Chief Rafael Zayas. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

In the second-floor hallway of West Haven City Hall, EMTs from American Medical Response of New Haven train city employees in performing hands-only CPR. Employees also received training in using an automated external defibrillator and administering Narcan, a brand name for a device that delivers the opioid-overdose antidote naloxone. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

An automated external defibrillator kit on display in the Harriet C. North Community Room of West Haven City Hall. The city recently installed grant-funded AED kits and Narcan emergency overdose kits in many municipal buildings and public places around West Haven. Each Lifepak AED kit contains gloves, a face mask, scissors and a razor, as well as a Narcan overdose kit with two 4-milligram nasal sprays. Narcan is a brand name for a device that delivers the opioid-overdose antidote naloxone. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

This press release was produced by the City of West Haven. The views expressed here are the author’s own.