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Please click on
any question for the answer:
What kind
of calls does CVAC respond to?
Who are the
paramedics?
How Is CVAC
funded?
What geographical
area does CVAC cover?
Do I need
a medical background to volunteer?
In what ways can I
volunteer?
What is meant
by "being on call"?
What is the
time commitment?
What do I
wear?
How many people
go on a call?
How do I know
if volunteering on an ambulance is for me?
If I have
more questions--what shall I do next?
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What kind
of calls does CVAC respond to?
Our volunteers respond to a wide variety of 911 calls, 24 hours a day, 365
days a year. Calls include at home accidents or illnesses, motor vehicle accidents,
and any form of medical emergency in our district. Sometimes the patient may decline the ambulance but
most times we transport the patient to an emergency room
for further medical care. On some calls paramedics arrive to
assume patient care, and we assist them. For further details
visit the Call History Page.
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Who are
the paramedics?
CVAC is a BLS (Basic Life Support) agency staffed entirely by
volunteers. For certain emergencies, Westchester County ALS (Advanced
Life Support) personnel, or paramedics, will be dispatched. These
paid professionals have more advanced training and skills. If
a paramedic is dispatched to a call, he or she might assume all
patient care, and CVAC EMTs will assist. The paramedic may also
accompany us on the ambulance to the hospital.
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How Is
CVAC funded?
CVAC receives no state or municipal aid, and does not assess any taxes.
CVAC operates from funds
received from our annual charity drive, private donations and
some insurance company reimbursement. All members are 100% volunteer
and members of the community. To make a donation, please visit the Donate page.
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What geographical
area does CVAC cover?
CVAC services almost all of the town of New Castle (Chappaqua
and Millwood), aside from a few areas in the extreme corners
of the town’s jurisdiction plus small portions of Mt. Pleasant. CVAC is also a member of the
Westchester Mutual Aid program, occasionally providing EMS service
for Mt. Kisco, Pleasantville and any neighboring town in need.
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Do I need
a medical background to volunteer?
No medical background is required. CVAC is made up of a variety of people from many walks
of life. They share a common desire to help others. All training
will be provided and paid for by the Corps.
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In what ways
can I volunteer?
1. Non-riding Status -- Help with administrative duties, dinners,
building and ambulance maintenance, and attend informational meetings.
CPR training is not required.
2. Aider - Aiders assist EMTs in a
variety of ways. CVAC provides CPR training, and training to learn
where supplies and equipment are on the ambulance. You will then be
eligible to ride on calls. Aiders may be asked to drive the
paramedic's vehicle when the paramedic accompanies the patient in the
ambulance.
3. EMT - After Aider status
is achieved, attend a one semester EMT course at the local community
college or other State certified training program. The course includes field training with a professional
ambulance company, passing the State certification exam and practical
test. You will then be eligible to provide patient care under
supervision of more experience EMTs.
4. Driver - After Aider status
is achieved, complete the Chappaqua Ambulance Driver Training
course and have a valid New York State driver's license with
no major traffic violations. Drivers also assist the EMTs at the
call location.
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What is
meant by "being on call"?
The Chappaqua Ambulance is staffed year round, 24 hours a day,
by volunteers. "On call" means you are responsible
to respond to a request for ambulance service. You will be alerted
by a pager that is provided. You may respond from home, or wait
at the ambulance building, Starbucks, library or anywhere in
Chappaqua that is within 5 minutes of our building. We
provide a green rotating light for your car that will help you navigate
traffic to get to CVAC Headquarters and join the ambulance crew.
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What is
the time commitment?
What ever time you can give is what we ask for. We are happy
to work around your schedule. Many of our volunteers work full
time outside New Castle and go on call evenings and weekends.
Others, who are in the community during the day sign up for daytime
shifts.
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What do
I wear?
Corps issued shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, reflective vests and
hats. Your clothing should be sturdy, sneakers or boots and pants.
Shorts and sleeveless shirts are not worn for your own protection.
CVAC maintains a professional and respectable image.
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How many
people go on a call?
An ambulance crew consists of a Driver and at least one EMT.
Our crews also usually include an Aider and/or a Youth Corps
member. Depending on the nature of the call, a Paramedic may
be dispatched to the scene as well.
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How
do I know if volunteering on an ambulance is for me?
If you want to serve your community in an exciting and fulfilling
way, you might want to learn more about CVAC. To get a better
idea visit us on Tuesday night open house at 7pm, call us at
238-3191 or email info@chappaquaambulance.org.
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If I have
more questions--what shall I do next?
Contact the officers or call the building, all found on the Contact Us Page.
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