Brighton 3049 is a PL Custom Unit on a 2007 Chery Chassis
(February
27, 2008) Brighton Volunteer Ambulance (BVA) introduced its latest member
of the town's public safety team this month with the roll out of its new Ambulance
3049. This addition to BVA brings its fleet of vehicles to 5 ambulances and
1 Advanced Life Support “Flycar”.
Duncan Ververs, EMT-B, BVA's new president said, “In 2007,
Brighton Volunteer Ambulance received over 4,400 calls for Emergency Medical
Services. That was an increase of over 350 calls in 2006. By Mid-February 2008,
BVA is already more than 50 calls ahead of 2007. Our ambulances drove nearly
53,300 miles on lifesaving missions in 2007. That is more than twice around
the world!”
When Ambulance 3049 was ordered, Brighton Volunteer Ambulance
approached the town and asked if it could keep its oldest ambulance instead
of trading it in. Dennis Mietz, AEMT-CC, BVA's Liaison to the Town explained,
“Our call volume was going up. Vehicles needed more maintenance as they drove
more miles. Having an additional vehicle allows us to keep up to 4 ambulances
on the road, while one is out being serviced.”
The new ambulance was funded through the support of the Town
of Brighton Special Ambulance District. These funds are used primarily to purchase
new emergency vehicles on a regular rotation and provide fuel to the BVA fleet.
Brighton Town Supervisor Sandra L. Frankel said, “Brighton Volunteer Ambulance
made a good case for keeping its oldest ambulance. By keeping the fifth rig,
BVA will be able to maintain its rapid response to emergency medical calls.”
Supervisor Frankel went on to say, “BVA has continually provided
excellent Emergency Medical Services to the people of Brighton and has done
so without asking for any additional funding from the Special Ambulance (Tax)
District. This decision was truly a benefit for the town and its residents.”
BVA's Operation Manager, Heidi Stobie, AEMT-P said, “Each
time we order a new vehicle, we critique the ones we have. We look at what improvements
we can make to make the new ambulance safer or more efficient.” This new ambulance
is about 4 inches shorter than the other ambulances, lowering the center of
gravity, which makes driving easier under emergency conditions.”
Michael E. Pollock, EMT-D (ret.), BVA's Public Information Officer
said, “I remember when I joined Brighton Volunteer Ambulance in 1987, we had
a used ambulance purchased from Penfield Volunteer Ambulance. BVA's name was
on the side with magnetic signs. BVA and the town's need for Emergency Medical
Services have significantly grown. I am proud to be part of this growth, to
volunteer at BVA and serve the needs of Brighton's residents”
The West Brighton Fire Department made storage space available
in its fire house on West Henrietta Road, when the fifth ambulance is not in
use. Meanwhile Brighton Volunteer Ambulance is working on raising the funds
to purchase additional Advance Life Support equipment to make all five ambulances
fully equipped as Advanced Life Support units.
A dedication ceremony for Brighton Volunteer Ambulance's
3049 will be held later.
On Sunday, June 3, 2007 Brighton Volunteer Ambulance held an Open House at its base.
When the 2006 ended, Brighton Volunteer Ambulance reached a new milestone in its history. We responded to 4050 calls for service for the year.
Dan Fox
BVA dedicated its Ambulance 3079 in memory of the late Dan Fox, a BVA support member. The ceremony was hosted by The Gables at Brighton senior's community as part of an observance of National Senior Citizen's Safety Week.
(L to R) BVA President Dennis Mietz joins the Fox family along with
Amy Zorn, Executive Director of The Gables of Brighton
and Michael E. Pollock, BVA PIO in front of
the newly dedicated Ambulance 3079
Over 50 senior citizen residents attend the ceremony, joined by local dignitaries including Brighton town supervisor
Sandy Frankel, NYS Senator Joe Robach and Monroe County legislator Travis Heider. Very special guests included members of the Fox family including children, grandchildren and a great grandchild.
Ambulance 3079 Dedication Story
Over the next few weeks, when you call for a Brighton Volunteer Ambulance, a Cananduagia Emergency Squad ambulance might show up at you door. No, we are not having them respond from Cananduagia, rather it is a type of mutual aid between the two ambulance corps.
BVA has 4 ambulances in its fleet and sometimes they are all out on calls at once. Brighton's ambulance 3059 had to return to the factory in New Jersey for some work to be performed on it. Meanwhile with our increase of calls, we did not want to be short of ambulance. Cananduagia Emergency Squad agreed to lend us the use of one of their ambulances, while the repairs on BVA 3059 takes place.
This is not the first time that BVA has partcipated in such a vehicle swap. We have used other corps ambulances before and also lent one of our ambulances to another ambulance corps in need.
On Saturday, September 30, BVA helped another charitable cause. As many as 1000 persons took part in the fourth annual Rochester Walk for Autism Research. The walk took place on the Monroe Community College Brighton Campus.
BVA members EMT's Duncan Ververs and Ben Ryzewski along with Allen Scalise, Rig Assistant and Public Relations committee member covered the event with a rig standing by for first aid and any other medical emergencies.
Additionally, they set up a table to hand out information on health-related topics and BVA bandaids, as well as giving tours of the ambulance for members of the public.
BVA once again participated in the Town of Brighton Recreation Department's "Trick or Treat on Safety Street" by sponsoring and staffing a "house". The purpose of this event is to provide a safe enviorment for parents to bring small children to trick or treat. After visiting the houses, children are invited to do arts and craft projects and have donuts and cider.
Brighton Volunteer Ambulance "Kids Corps" members Emma Pollock and Madison Scalise handed out treats and Childhood Medical Emergency pamphlets to the attendees.
Member Allen Scalise introduced this activity to Corps in 2004. Each year his family sponsors a house and for the past two years, we have been neighbors at the event.
BVA members Vicki Field (seated) and Doreen Marvin
provided free blood pressure checks to attendees
BVA participated in the Jewish Community Center Health & Wellness Fair on Sunday, October 16, 2005. BVA members Vicki Field, Doreen Marvin and Allen Scalise staffed a table with exhibits from BVA.
The event was free and the community was able to get free health screenings for blood pressures from BVA, as well as screening tests from other health organizations.
Brighton Volunteer Ambulance again wanted to help another EMS agency that didn't have the resources to purchase some items that became our surplus, due to updates of our equipment. We thought the NYS EMS Vital Signs conference was an appropriate venue for this event.
The New York State Department of Health Vital Signs conference was held in Rochester on October 14 - 16 at the
Riverside Convention Center. The conference is a chance for EMS professionals to hear presenters from around the nation speak on topics of interest for the purpose of continuing education for Emergency Medical Technicians, emergency physicians and nurses. It is also an opportunity for EMS personnel from around the nation, as well as New York State to network with each other.
BVA President Dennis Mietz approved donating 2 - two-way mobile radios, a dedicated base receiver, a hand-held portable radio and base radio antenna to the Chatham Rescue Squad in rural Columbia County, near Albany. Chatham Rescue provides Basic and Advanced Life Support services to their own district, as well as providing Advance Life Support Intercept service to many of the ambulance districts around them that don't have Intermediate, Critical-Care or Paramedic service available to them. These Advance Life Support services can make literally make the difference between life and death by providing rapid access to personnel and drugs needed beyond the scope of practices allowed the Basic Life Support level. The radio equipment will be used to help coordinate the Advanced Life Support Incept service.
NYS DOH Emergency Medical Services Bureau Director Edward Wronski said, "It is wonderful that one agency can help another like this." Michael E. Pollock, Board Member and Communications Officer for BVA said, "In a time when money is short supply for everyone, including government from the Local to Federal levels, we must turn to each other (EMS agencies) to share resource, where possible."
This is not the first time that BVA has donated surplus equipment to others in need. In 2001, BVA donated its outgoing "Ambulance 3059" to the Lindenwood Volunteer Ambulance service in Queens NY. Their ambulance had to be replaced following damage, due to its response to the WTC 9 - 11 Attack in New York City. In 2003, Chatham Rescue was the recipient of other surplus radio equipment. All of these good deeds were thanks to networking of BVA and other agencies at previous NYS EMS Vital Signs conferences.
With the 2004/2005 Annual Fund Drive just ending in early October, the people of Brighton did their best to bring us within 99% of our goal. The total amount raised was just above $94,000.
We are already getting ready to start the new fund drive. BVA continues to grow, as our call volume grow. Our need of your support is greater than ever to continue to bring the best emergency medical services and technology to our community.
A story about BVA was one of the feature articles in the September 25th Democrat and Chronicle special section, "A Day in the Life of Brighton".
The article entitled, "EMT volunteers thrive on helping out" focused on our member Christina Corl. Christina is a recent graduate of LeMoyne College Physician's Assistant program. She has been a volunteer at BVA for about two years of her six year of being an EMT. She currently holds a certification as a Critical Care Emergency Medical Technician
A Democrat and Chronicle reporter and photographer actually rode with Christina and her partner Chuck McDonald during a routine day.
On September 17th, BVA participated in the Brighton High School Homecoming Parade sponsored by the
Brighton Chamber of Commerce. Crowds lined the parade route along South Winton Road, Elmwood Avenue
and Monroe Avenue. A concert with the Skycoasters immediately followed the parade.
One of the highest honors you can receive is being recognized by your peers. In the September 13th edition of The Daily Record, a legal newspaper covering the counties of the NYS 7th Judicial District published an article on our member, Ken Gordon for his work at Brighton Volunteer Ambulance.
Ken serves BVA as a driver, as well as our volunteer corporate legal counsel. While working full time as a attorney, he finds time one day a week to serve the community helping BVA get crews "out the door".
Gordon began his EMS career at SUNY Albany's "Five Quad Volunteer Ambulance". Their ambulance was a Cadillac station wagon. He was certified in Red Cross Advanced First Aid and CPR. After joining BVA, Ken became a Certified First Responder and in 2002 became a Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B).
Now, married and father of two, Ken continues his dedication to his community. Besides serving on legal committees, he has also served on the Brighton Town Council. He actively supports activities in for the local schools, including introducing BVA to the "Festival of Ideas" to introduce students to various careers, including EMS.
Brighton Volunteer Ambulance (BVA) passed its New York State Department of Health Emergency Medical Service Code Part 800 inspection with flying colors on Friday, August 26, 2005. The inspection was conducted at BVA's base located at 1551 Winton Rd, South in Brighton . The inspection verifies that the ambulance corps has everything in place to play its daily lifesaving role in the community.
The results of the inspection was “0” demerits and “0” deficiencies. This is the highest score possible.
New York State Emergency Medical Services Code Part 800 governs all Emergency Medical Services agencies in the State. This includes Independent Volunteer, Fire-Based and Commercial ambulance services. Part 800 goes into depth on topics including the overall EMS organization, standards for ambulances including the level of training of the crews, the equipment carried, and quality of patient care, review of agency policies and records, as well as human resource issues. Other areas of inspection include emergency readiness for the corps immediate area and for mutual aid or large scale responses.
Allen Scalise and his daughter and friends hand out health info
and BVA band-aid dispensers. Mike Murphy stands by
the ambulance to conduct tours
Mike Murphy and Allen Scalise
answer questions about BVA and
the roles of volunteers
On August 2nd, the Brighton Police Department hosts the town for "National Night Out" All the public safety agencies that serve the town participate.This includes the Brighton Police Dept, Brighton Volunteer Ambulance,
Brighton Fire Dept. and the West Brighton Fire Dept.
Ann Louise Rydzewski explains the
ambulance instrument panel
Brighton Volunteer Ambulance works closely with parents and schools to educate children.
We know that education is our best tool, so that children know that Emergency Medical Technicians
are there to help them.
BVA's Ben Rydzewski (front) and
Paul Fredericks (rear) tell a group of children
what happens in the back of an ambulance
BVA hopes by to interest children early so that they might want to
become an member when they are old enough
On July 9th, a team of four golfers from Rochester journeyed downstate to play in the 4th Annual Zack Zeng Golf Tournament at the La Tourette Golf Course in Staten Island NY. Led by BVA Golf Team Captain Ken Gordon and team members Darrell Grigg, Ken Stavalone (BVA members) and our Tri-Anim Representative, Matt Hall came in First Place with a score that of 9 under par. This was in a field of 10 - four member teams.
(L to R) Perry Palma Gil, Darrell Grigg, Matt Hall, Ken Stavalone,
Ken Gordon, Shen Zeng (Zack's Brother) and niece
The Zack Zeng Golf Tournament began in July 2002. It is named for Zhe "Zack" Zeng, EMT, a BVA member that died while rendering first aid during the World Trade Center 9 - 11 Attack. Zack had returned to New York City after graduating from University of Rochester Simon School of Business. The attack began, as Zack's work day at the Bank of New York - ADR Division, just four blocks from what is now known as "Ground Zero". Zack responded, as he was trained to do and perished as the first tower fell.
This was the first year the tournament was sponsored by the Zack Zeng Foundation. The Foundation is a non-for-profit (501)(c)(3) corporation started by Zack's co-workers and friends to raise money for BVA, who had taught Zack his lifesaving skills. This year they raised over $2,300 for BVA. Perry Palma Gil who has coordinated the event since it began and serves on the Board of the foundation presented the check (see photo above). This brings the total amount raised by Zack's co-workers and friends to over $6,000 for BVA.
BVA ambulances and crews stood by to provide medical attention to the crowds
that attended the 4th of July celebration. A tent (see right side) was set up to take
blood pressure readings, provide first aid and hand out membership applications
BVA provided EMS coverage at the Brighton 4th of July celebration. Our day began in the morning at the Rotary breakfast and town artshow held at Brighton High School. In the evening, we provided crews and equipment to cover the town firework display that drew over 10,000 people to Meridian Center Park.
June 12th was a warm and humid morning, but this didn't stop the EMS and Fire members of the Monroe County Third Battalion from holding a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) drill on the campus of Nazareth College in Pittsford.
With Pittsford Volunteer Ambulance as the lead EMS agency, Brighton and Penfield crews joined the effort to save the lives of students in a simulated terrorist incident involving two explosive devices in a 4 story college dormitory. The simulated bombs were set up so that the first one would trigger and once rescuers were inside, the second device could be detonated.
BVA EMT's Mike Murphy and Preethum Prithvirhj
rush to the location of a firefighter in simulated cardiac arrest
Firefighters from Brighton, Bushnells Basin, Fishers, Mendon and Pittsford Fire Departments used their resources to rescue those "trapped" in dormitory. The firefighters, using Brighton FD's Quint 300 aerial platform truck and extension ladders lowered the "victims" to the ground, so they could receive medical treatment.
The "simulated" cardiac arrest firefighter is loaded into Brighton's Ambulance 3069
for transport to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester
Following the drill, there was a debriefing at Pittsford FD House #1. A barbeque lunch was served while representatives from the Monroe County Fire and EMS Bureaus gave a critique of the day's activities.
This type of drill allows us to find our strengths and weaknesses before an actual incident. The Third Battalion hopes to stage another MCI drill later this summer.
"The public information officer with Brighton Volunteer Ambulance Michael Pollock suggests lots of water and taking breaks in the shade. He also tells NEWS 10NBC if you do go out in the sun remember take some pro-active steps. For one-try to avoid wearing dark colors, they only absorb the heat. Also, bring a hat or visor to keep your face out of the sun and carry water or juice with you, even if you're not thirsty." (Courtesy of 10NBC/WHEC-TV10 News)
Brighton Volunteer Ambulance became the first EMS agency in Monroe County to participate in The Dream Factory annual Buzz The Red, White and Blue event on Sunday, June 5. The purpose of the event is to raise funds to make dreams come true for critically and chronically ill children, ages 3 - 18 years old.
This year, over 38 police, fire and, for the first time, ambulance personnel got their heads shaved in solidarity for children that have undergone chemotherapy treatment. Additionally, six Mounted Patrol horses from the Rochester Police Department and Monroe County Sheriff's Office got their manes clipped.
.
BVA Paramedic Darrell Grigg volunteered to have his head shaven
to raise funds to benefit critically and chronically ill children
BVA's Darrell Grigg, Advanced Life Support Chief and Director of Training volunteered to have his head shaven to help the cause. Monies were raised from donations by the public with additional donations from the Brighton Fire Dept, the Brighton Professional Firefighters Union and the Brighton Patrolman's Association.
BVA Ambulance 3059 was on hand at the event located in Highland Bowl - Highland Park in Rochester. Tours of the ambulance were given to The Dream Factory families. Copies of BVA's Be Prepared for Medicals Emergencies Involving Your Children brochures were given to the parents. BVA Bandage dispensers were also given out to the kids.
BVA's Preethum Prithvirhj, EMT poses with a new friend
BVA's Dave Raz works on recruiting a new volunteer driver
In the remembrance of Zhe "Zack" Zeng, a BVA member that was lost during the WTC 9 - 11 attacks, the Zack Zeng Memorial Foundation will host the Fourth Annual Zack Zeng Memorial Golf Tournament at La Tourette Golf Course in Staten Island NY. The date of the tournament is Saturday, July 9th, 2005.
Zack was killed while performing heroic lifesaving first aid, when the first World Trade Center tower collapsed. Zack's name appears on both the National and New York State EMS Memorials. Additionally, a street in Chinatown - New York City has been named in his honor.
The La Tourette Golf Course is the site of the annual NYC Amateur Golf Tournament.
The Foundation, made up of Zack's friends and co-workers from the Bank of New York - ADR Division hosts this event each year to benefit Brighton Volunteer Ambulance, where Zack learned his lifesaving skills.
For additional information, please e-mail golf@brightonambulance.org
BVA's Dennis Mietz teaches putting on gloves and
"direct pressure"as the first step in controlling bleeding
BVA participated in the Brighton Central School District PTSA's "Festival of Ideas" on Saturday, March 12, 2005. The "Festival of Ideas" is an educational "fun day" for Brighton students in 3rd through 8th grade.
BVA's Ken Gordon teaches young "medics"
how to use a pillow as a leg splint
Students got to attend three different workshops of their choice, during the Festival. BVA presented a workshop called "Medic!". It gave the students a hands-on experience in bandaging, splinting and backboarding under the supervision of EMT's from Brighton Volunteer Ambulance.
BVA's Paul Fredericks explains the importance of
immobilizing a patient's neck before backboarding.
BVA'a Ben Rydzewski is the "patient"
Ken Gordon, EMT-D coordinated our participation in the event to help introduce Emergency Medical Services to these students and promote their volunteerism in the future in BVA and serving the people of Brighton. BVA members Allen Scalise and Michael E. Pollock also assisted with the class.
Brighton Volunteer Ambulance (BVA) held its 18 th Annual Recognition Dinner on March 5, 2005 at the Holiday Inn Rochester – South in Henrietta NY. The organization holds this event to honor its members and those that make its continuing lifesaving mission possible, each year.
(L to R) Doug Platt, Ken Stavalone, Joe Morelle, Joe Robach, Joan Cohen,
Mike Murphy, Paul Fredericks, Dennis Mietz, Duncan Ververs, Jim Vogel
With BVA members and representatives of other public safety agencies and local and state government looking on, the following awards were given:
Joan Cohen was honored with the David L.Gundry Award. Gundry was a charter member of BVA, who not only helped organized the original ambulance corps, but additionally put in countless hours to bring the group from infancy to a viable emergency medical service agency.
The BVA President's Award is given those who make “outstanding contributions to the agency” over the past year. The volunteer member that was honored was Paul Fredericks. Career Staff member honored was Ken Stavalone.
Each department of BVA honors an outstanding individual, who represents the high standards of position. Those honorees were Advanced Life Support technician Darell Grigg. Basic Life Support technician was Geoff Cole and Driver Department was Duncan Ververs.
Dennis J. Mietz was honored for his 2004 term as BVA President. Michael P. Murphy was honored for his 2004 role as Director of Operations.
New York State Senator Joseph E. Robach and Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle were honored for their continuing support of BVA. Brighton Town Supervisor Sandra L. Frankel was honored for maintaining a strong, postive relationship between the Town and BVA. The award was accepted by Town Board Member James R. Vogel, Chair of the Town Public Safety Committee.
A special certificate of appreciation went to Douglas Platt for Duty to Country on his safe return to his family and BVA from overseas active duty in the U.S. Air Force.
Paul Fredericks was honored by the Webster - Fairport B.P.O. Elks Lodge no. 2396 on February 3, 2005 for his volunteerism in BVA and the community.
Paul has been a member of BVA for the past three years. His volunteer hours have increased from 300 hours annually to 700 hours in 2004. He serves as a EMT-D driver and medic on the road. Within BVA, he is a member of the Board of Directors, Director of Members Benefits, Uniform Committee Chair and New Rig Selection Committee Chair.
When Paul is not at BVA, he spends time with his wife and two children and works full-time for the State of New York - Office of Mental Retardation and Developmentally Disabled. He also volunteers as a Respite Provider for Caregivers of Developmentally Disabled Children; with the Monroe County Special Olympics; in a Homeless Shelter, as well as past chair for Coats for Kids and a Red Cross Blood Donor.
The entire Brighton Volunteer Ambulance membership is proud to have an individual so committed to serving his community in our organization.
At the Board of Directors meeting, immediately following the General Membership meeting on November 17, 2004, the Board elected its new officers for 2005.
The new officers are: President - Dennis Mietz; Vice President - Eric Morrie; Secretary - Ann Louise Rydzewski and Treasurer - Paul Fredericks.
These officers will take their respective offices on January 1, 2005.
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On November 17, 2004, three members were elected to fill three-year terms on the Board of Directors. The newly elected include two members that have previously been on the Board, Bob Brody and Michael E. Pollock. New to the Board is Allen Scalise. Joan Cohen will retire from the Board, on January 1, 2005, as her term ends.
The Webelo 1 Cub Scouts from Pack 260 Den 3 of St. Joseph's Church in Penfield came to visit BVA on Wednesday, October 6th. This was as part of working on their Readyman pin requirements. Webelo cub scouts are typically 4th and 5th grade students.
BVA's Public Information Officer, Michael E. Pollock, gave a overview of BVA and the importance of volunteering in one's own to community to continue to make it a great place to live. He also spoke about the value of learning CPR and the use of AEDs to save lives.
BVA volunteer Paul Fredericks (second from left in above photo) gave a tour of a BVA ambulance and is seen above demonstrating the different types of oxygen masks used. Career member Ken Stavalone spoke about the different levels of training for ambulance personnel ranging from Certified First Responder to Paramedic level.
The cub scouts got some extra excitement as they heard a call come into the BVA base from the 911 Dispatcher for a Motor Vehicle Accident - People Trapped accident on Interstate Route 390. They stood clear and saw two ambulances respond from a base and heard a third BVA ambulance acknowledge and respond on the EMS radio.
BVA joined in the weeklong festivities of the Brighton High School (BHS) Homecoming Celebration on Friday, October 1st sponsored by the Brighton Chamber of Commerce. The various BHS classes got to show their school spirit with floats.
Local business joined in, as well as other local emergency services agencies that serve the Brighton area. Those included were the Brighton Police Department, Brighton Fire Department along with the Monroe County Sheriff Mounted Patrol and the New York State Police (their special pursuit Camaro can be seen directly behind the our ambulance).
The parade was immediately followed by a concert by The Skycoasters. That event closed Elmwood Avenue in the area of the Twelve Corners turning it into open air concert venue. The Homecoming football game against Greece Arcadia High School was then played.
The BVA brochure titled,"Be Prepared for Medical Emergencies Involving Your Child" has been distributed to all K - 6 students in Brighton Central School District, Harley School, Hillel School and Seton Catholic School on National EMS for Children Day for the past two years. This is part of a community outreach project of Brighton Volunteer Ambulance during National EMS Week, each May.
The brochure is now available at the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Outpatient desk located on the sixth floor of the Pichichero Pediatric Ambulatory Care Center of the Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong, part of the University of Rochester Medical Center.
The CURE Cancer Childhood Association is now placing a copy of the brochure in each new Parent Kit. These kits contain information to help the parents of children with cancer and other chronic blood disorders by providing information and resources to better cope with child's illness on a daily basis.
The brochure gives information and web links to educate parents and caregivers on how to be prepared for the unexpected. These links include emergency consent for treatment and medical history forms. Of note is the section on children with Special Needs. Information on phone numbers to call to pre register with utilities for emergencies like phone and power outages Also special medical history forms to give ambulance crews and the emergency department the information they need, from how to contact your child's medical specialist; baseline medical information; and brief history of current medical treatment.
You can read this BVA brochure by clicking here .
BVA members participated with other town of Brighton public safety agencies as the Brighton Police hosted a "Night Out Against Crime" during the first week of August.
Equipment demonstrations and tours of ambulances were conducted by BVA members.
Some want to be ambulance drivers
Others want to be EMT's
BVA band-aid dispensers with American flags were given to all those attending the event.
The Brighton Police Department has joined the ranks of the town's public safety team that is trained and equipped in CPR and the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AED's).
A private benefactor donated the AED units for the Brighton Police cars. Brighton Volunteer Ambulance staff provided the training to the police personnel.
All town government buildings now have AED's with over 70 staff members trained in their use. Brighton Fire and West Brighton Fire has AED units on their apparatus. Brighton Central School District has installed the units in all their school buildings.
Brighton Volunteer Ambulance carries AED's on all their ambulances for times when a Basic Life Support crew responses to a scene.
All these AED's can be used until the arrive of a Advance Life Support crew, who can use the Physio-Control Medtronics LifePak 12 units and appropriate drugs.
With the help of the Brighton Central School District, Harley School, Hillel School and Seton Catholic School, kids in Kindergarten through sixth grade got to take home this BVA brochure on Emergency Medical Services for Children Day on May 19th. The brochure is designed to help parents plan for medical emergencies for their child. There is a section included for Special Needs children, too.
This piece was prepared in collaboration with the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, U.S. Dept. of Transportation and the NYS Department of Health Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.
Brighton Central School District requested an additional 650 copies to distribute after the first the day! Copies were also donated to Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong for distribution in the Pediatric Hemotology/Oncology Outpatient Unit located in the Michael and Angela Pichichero Ambulatory Center.
More information can be seen at EMS for Children on the BVA web site.
Brighton Volunteer Ambulance held a Open House to kick off National EMS Week on its opening day of May 16th. Ambulance tours and our base were conducted. Demonstrations of specialized Advanced Life Support equipment and information was offered to all those that attend. Child Car Seat inspections were conducted and a clown made balloon figures for visitors to take home.