Question 1

How do I contact New Canaan EMS if I have a medical emergency?

Accepted Answer

If you or someone you know is having a medical emergency, the only way to activate New Canaan EMS is to CALL 911.

If you are calling from outside of Connecticut and need to activate New Canaan EMS for a New Canaan resident or visitor, call New Canaan Police at 203-594-3500.

Question 2

Who will respond when I call 911 in New Canaan?

Accepted Answer

New Canaan Police and EMS respond to all 911 calls in New Canaan.  NCEMS response will include an ambulance with a minimum of two EMTs. The 911 Dispatcher will also send a Paramedic depending on the nature and severity of the emergency.  New Canaan Fire may also be dispatched if the emergency involves a fire, environmental hazard, fluid spill, or to assist with patient extrication.

Question 3

When I call 911, what will I be asked?

Accepted Answer

The location of the emergency, including the street address.
The phone number you are calling from/activated 911.
Age and biological sex of the patient.
Details about the emergency, including a description of injuries or symptoms being experienced by a person having a medical emergency.  
Be sure to inform the 911 dispatcher if the patient has chest pain, trouble breathing, is unconscious, bleeding, has a severe headache, signs of stroke (slurred speech, facial droop, weakness on one side of the body).

Question 4

What should I do while waiting for the ambulance to arrive?

Accepted Answer

Stay on the line with 911 and follow their directions. They are trained experts in medical emergencies.
Try to keep the patient, and those around him/her, calm.  
Gather a list of patient’s medications and any allergies. 
Gather in a single bag, things patient will need at the hospital, including: ID (license + health insurance information), phone and charger, glasses (if patient wears), shoes.

Question 5

What hospitals does NCEMS transport patients?

Accepted Answer

NCEMS transports patients to Norwalk or Stamford Hospitals.  Both are Level II Trauma Centers.  If the emergency is deemed life threatening by the EMT or Paramedic, we are required to by CT law to take the patient to the closest hospital.  If the emergency is less serious, our patients may choose to be taken to either Norwalk or Stamford Hospital.

Question 6

How much does New Canaan EMS charge if I call 911?

Accepted Answer

NCEMS does not charge for our services. New Canaan EMS is one of only a few EMS services in the state of Connecticut to provide EMS services free-of-charge.  (Note: When there are multiple calls in New Canaan, a neighboring town’s EMS service may be sent to respond to a call in New Canaan.  When this occurs, patients will be subject to that EMS provider's regulated rates for patient care and transport.)

Question 7

Who do I contact for a legal or document request?

Accepted Answer

Please email legalrequests@newcanaanems.org.

Question 8

Can you tell me more about the role of EMTs?

Accepted Answer

Our 60+ EMTs are state and nationally-certified, all volunteers and unpaid, and most (but not all!) are New Canaan residents. We have one to two ambulances staffed at all times.  Each ambulance is operated by a team of two EMTs (an EMT driver and an EMT delivering patient care).  For 911 calls that require advanced-life-support, a Paramedic is also assigned to the call.  NCEMS operates 24/7, 365-days a year.

Question 9

What are the certification requirements for an EMT?

Accepted Answer

To be an EMT at New Canaan EMS, you must be a Connecticut-certified EMT or have your National Registry of Emergency Technicians (NREMT) Certification from the State of Connecticut.   You must also be certified in AHA Basic Life Support (CPR and AED). Learn more about becoming an EMT.  See the "Join" section on our site for more information on our EMT classes, as well as other locations that offer EMT classes.

Question 10

Does NCEMS teach CPR?

Accepted Answer

While NCEMS does not provide CPR certification, we do provide instruction on hands-only CPR and AED use.  For more information about our programs, email communityhealth@newcanaanems.org.

If you would like to become CPR certified, The American Heart Association and Red Cross offer courses.  To find a class near you, please visit:

www.atlas.heart.org

https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr

Question 11

Who are NCEMS's EMTs?

Accepted Answer

We are a diverse group of accomplished men and women.  We are high school and college students, teachers, lawyers, firefighters, social workers, bankers, salespeople, stay-at-home parents, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, retired executives, nurses, artists, and more. We all share a strong desire to serve the health and safety of our New Canaan community.

Question 12

What is the time commitment to be an EMT in New Canaan?

Accepted Answer

NCEMS offers our EMTs as much flexibility as possible, while still providing the community of New Canaan outstanding emergency care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Our active riding members commit to working 60-hours a month consisting of a regular weekday shift (6am-6pm) or weeknight shift (6pm-6am), plus one weekend shift each month. NCEMS members are also expected to attend monthly training, which typically takes place the 4th Tuesday of each month from 7-9pm at The Lapham Center in New Canaan.  This training counts towards the continuing education hours needed to maintain your EMT certification in the state of Connecticut.

Question 13

What is the NCEMS station like?

Accepted Answer

Our headquarters (or the station) is located at 182 South Avenue, New Canaan.  When not responding to a 911 call, the on-duty EMTs and the Paramedic are at NCEMS Headquarters.  NCEMS Headquarters has most of the comforts of your home with a full kitchen, living area with a TV, private sleeping quarters, and a large table where most crews can be found during their shift de-briefing a recent calls, sharing a meal or working on their laptops.  EMTs often have down-time between calls to respond to personal emails or phone calls or simply relax, watching TV and/or chatting.

Question 14

Can I donate to New Canaan EMS?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely!  We rely on donations to maintain a state-of-the-art EMS operation and excellent patient care.  Learn more about how your donation will be utilized and ways to donate.   And…thank you for your support!

Frequently Asked Questions

About NCEMS, Calling 911 and Other Emergency-Related Information