<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"> <channel> <title>The Westerly Ambulance Corps, Inc. News Articles</title> <link>https://www.westerlyambulance.org/apps/public/news/rss</link> <description>News articles published on westerlyambulance.org</description> <language>en-us</language> <atom:link href="https://westerlyambulance.org/apps/public/news/rss/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 21 Nov 2024 19:58:49 GMT</lastBuildDate> <item> <title>Corps partners with Valenti Subaru ~ Share The Love Event</title> <category>Department News</category> <link>https://www.westerlyambulance.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=93</link> <guid>https://www.westerlyambulance.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=93</guid> <dc:creator></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 04 Nov 2024 11:36:57 EST</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[ <p>The Corps has been chosen, with efforts of the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce to be the recipient of funds generated from the Share the Love Event sponsored by Valenti Subaru of Westerly, RI. If you are in the market for a new Subaru please go visit the Corps friends at Valenti Subaru. Let the entire team know you support local businesses and the Corps! Proceeds will be allocated towards upgrades in equipment!</p> <br> <figure> <img src="https://www.westerlyambulance.org/files/news/93/Subaru_STLE_Logo_Lhand_Top_3Line_4C.jpg" border="1" /> </figure> ]]></description> </item> <item> <title>The Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce proudly selects Maria Pucci recipient of the 2024 Athena Award</title> <category>Department News</category> <link>https://www.westerlyambulance.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=92</link> <guid>https://www.westerlyambulance.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=92</guid> <dc:creator></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 31 Oct 2024 14:41:41 EST</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[ <p>The Corps is proud that Maria began her love for the Westerly/Stonington communities volunteering with us! Joining the Corps in 1996, Maria instantly became a valued member.</p> <p>Always answering the 3am phone call to drive an ambulance to someone in need, while always striving to comfort with a friendly smile and kind word. </p> <p>Always the party planner, Maria headed the Corps Social Committee. Maria continues to be a true ambassador of the Corps promoting an old saying that “care & compassion may just be the best medicine of all”. </p> <p>The Corps congratulates our friend and colleague in her quest to make our little corner of the world a special place to live.</p> <br> <figure> <img src="https://www.westerlyambulance.org/files/news/92/IMG_4050.jpg" border="1" /> <figcaption>Maria - 1999 Annual Banquet</figcaption> </figure> <figure> <img src="https://www.westerlyambulance.org/files/news/92/FullSizeR.jpg" border="1" /> <figcaption>Honorary Member Maria Pucci and Michael Brancato, Asst. Chief </figcaption> </figure> ]]></description> </item> <item> <title>Ambulance Corps Volunteer Named Westerly Citizen of the Year</title> <category>Area News</category> <link>https://www.westerlyambulance.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=90</link> <guid>https://www.westerlyambulance.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=90</guid> <dc:creator></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 28 Jun 2024 11:21:04 EST</pubDate> <description>The Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce honored Corps member Jamie Silvestri at its 67th annual membership dinner Wednesday June 26, recognizing him as Westerly’s citizen of the year. Jamie joined the Corps in 1997, taking over 200 calls before casting his sights on serving on the Westerly Town Council. Jamie is also a proud member of the Westerly Fire Department. During a meeting of the “New Building Committee”, that was taking place on the front lawn of the Payne Memorial Building. Jamie; while walking his dog Brutus, stopped to say hello to committee members. Soon the conversation lead to an idea – Jamie had a vision of a land swap. In the next several months that followed Jamie became instrumental in fostering conversations with the Town of Westerly and Westerly School District leading to his vision. This 3-month conversation and negotiation in late 1999 paved the way for a new 16,000-foot ambulance facility to be designed and built by local architect Paul Azzinaro, opening in June 2002. Congratulations Jamie!! Thank you for your dedication to the Corps! </description> </item> <item> <title>Corps receives Rhode Island Senate Legislative Grant</title> <category>Department News</category> <link>https://www.westerlyambulance.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=89</link> <guid>https://www.westerlyambulance.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=89</guid> <dc:creator></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 18 Jun 2024 12:13:58 EST</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[ <p>Upgrades in equipment is the Corps main focus in 2024! In 2023 the Corps responded to 6,957 call for service. An aging population, increase in housing and tourism has increased our call volume by 1,600 calls since 2004. Within the last several months the Corps has placed in service two completely refurbished ambulances and a new 2023 Chevrolet ambulance. </p> <p>With new equipment the focus of this calendar year the Corps reached out to Senator Victoria Gu for financial assistance. The Corps was recently awarded a Rhode Island Legislative Grant, fully funding the purchase of 5 sets of new equipment carrying bags and portable suction devices. <br> <br>The Westerly Ambulance Corps would like to thank Senator Victoria Gu for her efforts in obtaining grant funds and her commitment to the Corps volunteers & employees!</p> <br> <figure> <img src="https://www.westerlyambulance.org/files/news/89/IMG_6769.jpg" border="1" /> <figcaption>Senator Victoria Gu & Asst. Chief Michael Brancato</figcaption> </figure> ]]></description> </item> <item> <title>Clarence D. Stenhouse Memorial Scholarship Award Recipients </title> <category>Department News</category> <link>https://www.westerlyambulance.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=88</link> <guid>https://www.westerlyambulance.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=88</guid> <dc:creator></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 17 Jun 2024 12:13:43 EST</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[ <p>The Westerly Ambulance Corps annually presents the Clarence D. Stenhouse scholarship to locally graduating high school seniors who are continuing their education in the medical field. The Clarence D. Scholarship is in memory of Clarence D Stenhouse who served the Corps as Commander between 1953 thru 1974. </p> <p>This year's recipients are Kayley Chim, Geena Falcone, and Marcus Limson from Westerly High School. Anna Gingerella from Chariho Regional High School graduating with a 4.55GPA also received a scholarship and will be attending URI in the fall to continue studies in medical research.</p> <p>Congratulations to all our locally graduating seniors and award recipients!</p> <br> <figure> <img src="https://www.westerlyambulance.org/files/news/88/Screensho.jpg" border="1" /> <figcaption> Anna Gingerella 2024 Chariho Regional High School </figcaption> </figure> ]]></description> </item> <item> <title>Focused on the future: Partnerships, new equipment carry Westerly Ambulance forward</title> <category>Department News</category> <link>https://www.westerlyambulance.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=87</link> <guid>https://www.westerlyambulance.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=87</guid> <dc:creator>By Jason Vallee Sun staff writer</dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2024 10:14:13 EST</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[ <p>WESTERLY — As the sun was shining down on staff at the Westerly Ambulance Corps on a calm Friday afternoon, Capt. Jeffrey Barker took the opportunity to clean off a 2023 Ford F-450 ambulance that the agency put into service late last year. In front of the building, Assistant Chief Michael Brancato had just finished testing a brand new 2023 Chevy 3500 ambulance that had just been delivered that morning.</p> <p>There are still plenty of challenges remaining to continue positioning the corps for a strong financial future, Brancato admits, but the scene marked a stark difference from the start of last year when the impact of an ongoing pandemic, record-low returns on billables and contract negotiations had the agency facing a potential financial black hole.</p> <p>“In 2023, we were still in the COVID recovery phase in many ways. Billable income was still down and we were trying to realign finances,” Brancato said. “We had stopped large purchases during COVID, and were strapped for money. Now we are coming through that.”</p> <p>What a difference a year can make.</p> <p>After coming to a contract agreement with its staff, Westerly Ambulance was able to use funds allocated from the town’s American Rescue Plan Act monies to replace two four-wheel ambulances with 2023 Ford F-450s.</p> <p>The town’s generous allocation of $200,000 for operational needs, up from $100,000 from the previous year’s budget, and a special opportunity to purchase a vehicle at a reduced rate has also allowed the corps to purchase the Chevy 3500. The brand-new CityMedic vehicle, built by Wheeled Coach and purchased from Greenwood Emergency Vehicles of North Attleboro for $232,000, replaces a 2006 that had over 300,000 miles on it — and countless additional hours of idling.</p> <p>The purchase cost the agency a fraction of the $375,000 to $400,000 that a new Ford F-450 four-wheel drive would have.</p> <p>“The ambulance corps wanted to be fiscally responsible in getting a brand new vehicle, and we wanted to get ourselves in a position to be able to replace things in a more consistent and cost-efficient manner,” Brancato said.</p> <p>For the agency, the purchases over the past year serve two purposes. The first, from an administrative standpoint, is that the corps is now on a more realistic and flexible timeline for future replacement needs, both Brancato and Barker said.</p> <p>The corps has a total of 18 full-time licensed responders, 25 part-time licensed responders, 3 full-time and 8 part-time dispatchers, and operates at a $3 million budget annually. To continue to provide quality response, the two said that staff need access to regularly-changing equipment.</p> <p>The agency has worked with partners including the Charlestown Ambulance Rescue Service to apply for grants, including working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in order to seek cost-effective replacements for aging lifepak monitors, more commonly known as defibrillators, LUCAS devices and CPR devices.</p> <p>Brancato said the agency is also putting together a replacement plan for a 2017 Ford F-450 and will then need a longer plan for replacement of the 2019 Mercedes Sprinter. In addition, the agency has a 2016 Ford Expedition, known as Medic 1, which will be replaced around July, with a 2024 Chevy Tahoe already on order.</p> <p>Barker said the effort to replace equipment shows an important commitment by the agency to provide first responders with the tools they need to do the job right.</p> <p>“Updating the trucks and equipment is paramount so that we can keep up with the protocol changes, especially with the talks nationwide,” he said. “We are in a constantly changing and evolving industry, so we have to stay on top of everything otherwise we are going to fall behind.”</p> <p>Brancato said that while the corps is now in a good position, there is still a lot of work to do moving forward to help it remain financially viable and stable. He said partnerships with local police, Westerly and Stonington officials and other agencies throughout the region will help them to find the way, however.</p> <p>“When I first started, this was an almost all volunteer agency. So much has changed since I first began in 1992.” Brancato said. “We have entered a new age, one considerably different than when Dr. (Frank) Payne founded the agency in 1917.”</p> <br> <figure> <img src="https://www.westerlyambulance.org/files/news/87/6637b2a8a2d1f.image.jpg" border="1" /> </figure> <figure> <img src="https://www.westerlyambulance.org/files/news/87/6637b2a4366d1.image.jpg" border="1" /> </figure> <figure> <img src="https://www.westerlyambulance.org/files/news/87/6637b2ae207be.image.jpg" border="1" /> </figure> <figure> <img src="https://www.westerlyambulance.org/files/news/87/6637b29cdf253.image_(1).jpg" border="1" /> </figure> <figure> <img src="https://www.westerlyambulance.org/files/news/87/6637b29cdf253.image.jpg" border="1" /> </figure> <figure> <img src="https://www.westerlyambulance.org/files/news/87/6637b296e32a9.image.jpg" border="1" /> </figure> ]]></description> </item> <item> <title>New Ambulance Added to Fleet</title> <category>Department News</category> <link>https://www.westerlyambulance.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=86</link> <guid>https://www.westerlyambulance.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=86</guid> <dc:creator>Assistant Chief Michael Brancato</dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 03 May 2024 14:04:44 EST</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[ <p>The Corps took delivery of this brand new Chevrolet C-3500 Wheeled Coach ambulance this morning. 752 will be placed in service within the new few weeks. Thank you to our Dealer Greenwood Emergency Vehicles for delivering a beautiful looking truck, on time and under budget.</p> <br> <figure> <img src="https://www.westerlyambulance.org/files/news/86/IMG_2577.jpg" border="1" /> </figure> <figure> <img src="https://www.westerlyambulance.org/files/news/86/IMG_2580.jpg" border="1" /> </figure> <figure> <img src="https://www.westerlyambulance.org/files/news/86/IMG_2581.jpg" border="1" /> </figure> <figure> <img src="https://www.westerlyambulance.org/files/news/86/IMG_2583.jpg" border="1" /> </figure> <figure> <img src="https://www.westerlyambulance.org/files/news/86/IMG_2584.jpg" border="1" /> </figure> ]]></description> </item> <item> <title>Mr. Dwayne Allen, Jr.</title> <category>Department News</category> <link>https://www.westerlyambulance.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=85</link> <guid>https://www.westerlyambulance.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=85</guid> <dc:creator></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jan 2024 16:10:08 EST</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[ <p>It is with a heavy heart and deep regret that Chief Rachael Jones and the Board of Governors of the Westerly Ambulance Corps announce the passing of Life Member Dwayne Allen Jr. “Mr. Allen” as he was known by our crews and members has been a part of our organization since 1966. Upon his retirement from Moore’s Mill, Mr. Allen saw a job posting in the Westerly Sun, the Corps was looking for a facilities manager. It was a perfect fit! Since 2009 Mr. Allen worked at our headquarters/building as our maintenance coordinator keeping the station clean and in working order. He was often the first to tell a joke, give a smile, lend an ear after a call, or tell a story of the years past and his many trips to Boston in some of our first ambulances. He has been a steady fixture of our department and will be greatly missed by all of us. He leaves behind a legacy of service to Westerly Ambulance with his sons, Dwayne III, Scott and Todd serving as chief officers and ALS providers here at Westerly Ambulance. Our most sincere condolences are offered to his wife, children, grandchildren, and family at this time of their loss. </p> <p>Rest in peace, Mr. Allen.</p> <br> <figure> <img src="https://www.westerlyambulance.org/files/news/85/IMG_1615.jpg" border="1" /> </figure> ]]></description> </item> <item> <title>2024 Subscription Membership JOIN/RENEW NOW!!!!</title> <category>Incident News</category> <link>https://www.westerlyambulance.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=84</link> <guid>https://www.westerlyambulance.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=84</guid> <dc:creator>Assistant Chief Michael Brancato</dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 23 Jan 2024 10:18:25 EST</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[ <p>The Westerly Ambulance Corps membership/subscription forms were mailed to all previous subscribers in the Town of Westerly on January 4, 2023. If you not receive your renewal or would like to join please call our office at 596-4375 ext. 203 or visit our website <a href="http://www.westerlyambulance.org/content/subscription/." target="_blank">http://www.westerlyambulance.org/content/subscription/.</a></p> <p>The Corps invites all Westerly residents to become a subscription member. Save money, save time - JOIN NOW!!!!! </p> <p>All major Credit Cards, Cash & Checks accepted!</p> <br> <figure> <img src="https://www.westerlyambulance.org/files/news/84/member_2024.jpg" border="1" /> </figure> ]]></description> </item> <item> <title>Train with us!</title> <category>Department News</category> <link>https://www.westerlyambulance.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=83</link> <guid>https://www.westerlyambulance.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=83</guid> <dc:creator></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 29 Nov 2023 11:21:42 EST</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[ <p>Introducing for 2024 the Corps newly updated training program which will now include ACLS & PALS for health care providers.</p> <p>Non-health care providers can still enjoy learning lifesaving skills through our class lineup! Make an early new years resolution, learn CPR & First Aid! Basic First Aid and CPR trainings are offered bi-monthly, with generous discounts for groups. All class are easy and convenient, held at the Corps headquarters on Chestnut Street, Westerly.</p> <p>For more information please email or call Captain Kim DePerry <A HREF="mailto:kdeperry@westerlyambulance.org">kdeperry@westerlyambulance.org</A> 401-596-4375 ext. 102</p> <p><a href="https://www.westerlyambulance.org/content/training/default.cfm" target="_blank">https://www.westerlyambulance.org/content/training/default.cfm</a></p> <br> <figure> <img src="https://www.westerlyambulance.org/files/news/83/training.jpg" border="1" /> </figure> ]]></description> </item> </channel> </rss>