At a recent meeting of the New Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corps (NCVAC) Board of Governors, four emergency medical technician (EMT) members were recognized for having successfully completed the required training to become ambulance drivers in town. These EMTs, all of whom have a minimum of 18 months field experience, have completed the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Emergency Vehicle Operator Course in addition to 3 months of on-the-job training at NCVAC with a supervising driver.
The program is designed to provide new ambulance drivers with the special skills required to operate an ambulance under very demanding emergency response conditions.
The four NCVAC EMTs — Eric Grant, Stephanie Soltes, Kate Nailor and Tom Tesluk — each completed two phases of classroom and behind-the-wheel training.
The first phase of training teaches the basics of controlled braking, curved and straight backing-up, serpentine, parallel parking, crash avoidance techniques, and other precision driving skills.
The second phase takes place on public roads. Students were placed on teams with experienced drivers and learned how to drive in traffic using emergency lights and sirens, how to proceed safely through intersections, and how to approach an accident on the Merritt Parkway when traffic is at a standstill.
The New Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corps consists of 37 active volunteer members who contribute approximately 60 hours each month to serve as first responders in New Canaan and, when necessary, as back-up responders in neighboring communities.
NCVAC’s newly appointed ambulance drivers are Eric Grant, leftmost in front row, Stephanie Soltes, Kate Nailor and Tom Tesluk, pictured here with NCVAC Captain Jon Frattaroli.