Ready to Respond: Rocky Hill Volunteer Ambulance Continues to Serve

by Mark Jahne

Editor

They tend to see people on one of the worst days of their lives. That’s why the skills and compassion of the people who provide emergency medical services through the Rocky Hill Volunteer Ambulance Association are so important to the community.

Founded in 1972, its emergency medical technicians are on duty nights, weekends and holidays. Aetna Ambulance, a commercial business, covers the remaining hours and provides paramedics, a higher level of service.

They operate out of fire/EMS quarters at 3050 Main St. Mary Ellen McGovern is the chief of the service. She is assisted by Melissa Greaves, assistant chief for administration and Mitch Cooper, deputy chief of finance.

All three of them have jobs in the health care field. McGovern works for Hunter’s Ambulance and Cooper is employed by Aetna Ambulance. Greaves is a state EMT proctor and works for the New England Welfare and Pension Fund.

Senior administrators of the Rocky Hill Volunteer Ambulance Association are, from left, Mitch Cooper, Mary Ellen McGovern and Melissa Greaves. (Mark Jahne)

RHVAA is not a department of local government. Cooper said it is a 501c3 nonprofit organization funded primarily by billing and donations. The COVID-19 pandemic complicated their work and increased their level of personal risk. It also caused a decline in membership.

They recalled having to wear full personal protection gear during the pandemic. The risk was high, but not responding to calls was not an option.

Things are improving and service continues without interruption. The number of EMTs is rising. One does not have to live in town to join RHVAA. Cooper lives in Middletown and Greaves is a Vernon resident.

“It’s been a struggle but we are definitely working at it. Our membership has taken a hit in the last five years,” McGovern said. “We don’t go without our shifts being covered. You can be an EMR, EMT or paramedic” and serve as a RHVAA volunteer.

“We do 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, it’s 24/7,” she added.

“The call volume remains about the same,” Cooper said.

“Over the course of a year we respond to between 1,200 and 1,500 calls,” McGovern said. EMS volunteers are not paid but “there’s a stipend and a pension program paid by the town.”

This is also offered to volunteer firefighters.

The former Wethersfield Volunteer Ambulance Association had a similar arrangement in that town but decided to switch to a nonprofit business model to recruit more EMTs by paying them wages. The only way to make that work was to expand its hours.

Aetna was also the backup service in Wethersfield and balked at losing hours and money. A long legal battle ensued and the result is that town government sided with Aetna and Wethersfield Emergency Medical Services, as it is now called, is effectively out of business and pondering an uncertain future.

McGovern, who lives in town, was asked if such a scenario could happen in Rocky Hill. Her response was immediate and emphatic.

“No way, no how,” she said.

She added that the current arrangement works just fine and she is confident that RHVAA can recruit sufficient staff to meet the need. That includes providing standby services at high school football and soccer games.

“I got involved a long time ago. It can be heartbreaking, but you do it,” McGovern said. “I got my EMT [certification] in 2020 and have been here ever since. Somebody saved my life so now I pay it back.”

“This place is important to me,” Cooper added.

“I was a road medic forever,” Greaves said. “I was fire and EMS at the same time.”

She was motivated to join because McGovern is a longtime friend. All three agreed that the best days on this volunteer job are those when nobody gets sick or injured … or worse. They are grateful to have a strong working relationship with the police and fire departments.

RHVAA maintains a presence in the community. It has conducted food drives and teaches EMT, CPR and other classes. A scholarship program has been in place for many years and helps pay for people to attend EMS classes.

“We’re working on becoming a Heart Safe Community,” McGovern said. “We have a school program with Rocky Hill High School.” RHL

Anyone interested in joining RHVAA or learning more about it may contact McGovern by texting 860-966-1981 or email mmcgovern@rockyhillct.gov or mgreaves@rockyhillct.gov.