July was our busiest month in WVAC history. Our volunteers responded to 180 emergency calls in July—the highest monthly call volume our organization has ever recorded—a 22.45% increase over July 2025. Behind every number is a neighbor who needed help, and WVAC answered the call - day or night, weekends or holidays. To every WVAC member: thank you for your service, dedication, compassion, and countless hours of service. Your commitment keeps emergency medical care available to our community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. And to our community: thank you for your continued support. Whether you volunteer, donate, or simply cheer on us, you are helping make this lifesaving work possible. Together, we are proud to be neighbors caring for neighbors

June was another busy month for our volunteers. 177 emergency calls 926 calls responded to so far in 2026 Every response represents a neighbor who needed help—day or night. Thank you to our EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, firefighters, law enforcement partners, and hospital teams for working together to serve our community. Thank you to the residents of Wilton for your continued trust and support. Delivering exceptional 24/7 emergency care, education, and service to our community.

Today, WVAC provided standby coverage for the Wilton High School Graduation and we were glad we were there! First, thank you very much to Principal Dr. Robert O'Donnell for the shout-out that he gave our 5 graduating seniors: Ronan Conway, Arista Sullivan, Trisha Prabhu, Polina Popova, and Ava Ray as well as our standby crew. Second, WVAC was kept very busy during the ceremony. Our standby crew at the field provided on-site medical care to 4 patients with various heat-related issues and an insect sting, while our duty crew at headquarters responded to the auditorium for a fall. WVAC is always here for our community to provide standby medical coverage for large-scale events such as this. Congratulations to the entire class of 2026 and best of luck on the next chapter of your lives, wherever that may take you!

Last night at WVAC's Annual Meeting, elections were held to fill the vacancy that will be left when WVAC's current President, Esther Hilbers, departs WVAC to return to her home in the Netherlands. All officer positions are for two-year terms, which would have ended 5/31/27. The membership voted WVAC's current Vice President, Kevin Kelly, to the position of President for the remainder of the term. Kevin Kelly is a 7+ year member of the organization who is frequently found near the top of the membership in terms of shift time. To fill the vacancy left by Kevin's shift to President, the membership voted Karen Seelert into the position of Vice President for the remainder of the term. Karen is a 4+ year member of the organization and a licensed psychologist. The other remaining officer positions, Secretary and Treasurer, remain unchanged. A link to our officers page on our website can be accessed here. In addition to the elections, some member appreciation awards were also distributed. Every year, WVAC offers scholarships to its student volunteers pursuing their education in medicine or emergency services. Featured below are this year's recipients, EMT's Arista Sullivan, Trisha Prabhu, Camryn Czarnecki, and Polina Popova. Each received a scholarship in the amount of $1,000 each. In addition, the following members featured below were recognized for completing their first year of service with WVAC and received their 1-year EMT pins: Alexander Wong, Jacob Voellmicke, Arista Sullivan, Camryn Czarnecki, Trisha Prabhu, and Polina Popova. Not featured are Benjamin Gasparinni, Jack Geller, Lauren D'Ariano, Lisa Long, and Martin Long. The following members also received awards for making the 500 Club, which recognized members who served at least 500 shift hours in our fiscal year (June Through May): Lynda Soltis, Laura Ketner, Shelley Keyes, John Miscioscia, Brian McDermott, Dave Smith, Betsy Wallon, Kevin Kelly, Hans Wernke, and Esther Hilbers. Lastly, we had two promotions. EMTs Arista Sullivan and Lisa Buckland were promoted to Crew Chief! We would like to thank the Wilton Police Department for loaning WVAC their beautiful new training room to hold our Annual Meeting. Normally, WVAC holds its award ceremony in June; however, next month, WVAC will host its 50th Anniversary celebration at Rolling Hills Country Club with both former and current members, leadership from WIlton PD, Wilton FD, the Board of Selectmen, and our partners at Norwalk Hospital EMS, and the Southwest Regional Communications Center (CMED), which provides dispatch services to WVAC. Additional awards and presentations will be held at that event.

A Spooktacular Season of Events WVAC members had a fantastic time this Halloween season. They attended three different touch-a-truck events that brought joy to the community. Each event was unique and filled with excitement. YMCA Spooktacular Trunk-or-Treat The first event was the YMCA Spooktacular Trunk-or-Treat on October 18th. EMTs Dave Smith and David Schmidt were on hand to give out plenty of treats. They showcased our Halloween-themed ambulance, which was a hit with the kids. The atmosphere was festive, and everyone enjoyed the spooky decorations. Wilton Chamber of Commerce Pumpkin Parade Next up was the Wilton Chamber of Commerce Annual Pumpkin Parade. EMTs Brian McDermott, Esther Hilbers, and Polina Popova handed out tons of candy. It was a good thing we were right next to CVS, as the candy went fast! The event was bustling with families, and the excitement was palpable. SEPTA's Sensory Friendly Touch-a-Truck Finally, on November 1st, WVAC EMTs Shelley Keyes and Tom Klinga opened up the ambulance at SEPTA's Annual Sensory Friendly Touch-a-Truck. This event was designed to be inclusive, allowing children with sensory sensitivities to explore the vehicles in a calm environment. It was a wonderful opportunity for families to interact with our EMTs and learn about emergency services. Conclusion These touch-a-truck events were more than just fun; they were a way to connect with the community. WVAC members enjoyed engaging with families and sharing the importance of emergency services. We look forward to more events like these in the future! For more information about our services and upcoming events, visit our website. Thank you to everyone who participated and made these events a success!

On Wednesday, April 8th, members of the Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps provided and served dinner to the residents of Ogden House. Ogden House, located at 100 River Rd, is a non-profit, HUD-financed housing facility in Wilton. It provides 85 affordable independent living apartment units for seniors (ages 62+) and individuals with disabilities. In 2025, Ogden House remained one of the top 10 facilities to which WVAC responded to 911 calls. It is always a pleasure to spend time with these seniors, as it gives our members a chance to see them thrive on their best days, rather than when we are called to assist them in an emergency. A few residents got to meet and spend time with the crews that assisted them in their time of need. Salad, chicken parmesan, pasta, and cupcakes were served, and former WVAC president, John Miscioscia MC'd the free raffle portion of the evening, where residents won puzzles or gift cards to Stop N Shop. WVAC has been sponsoring these dinners yearly, at both Ogden House and Wilton Commons (21 Station Rd), for the past several years.

This past Tuesday, March 31st, WVAC members Brian McDermott, Esther Hilbers, Hans Wernke, Dave Smith and Don Offinger, along with Wilton PD officer Shawn Frendt, trained the owner and staff of the Wilton Outback Steakhouse in Hands-Only CPR and AED use, Stop The Bleed, and infant and adult choking. Outback Steakhouse is prepared for an emergency, are you? If your Wilton business would like similar training, please reach out to Brian McDermott at events@wiltonambulance.org .

A Meaningful Collaboration WVAC was honored to join the Wilton Kiwanis Club for an engaging and thoughtful conversation about the Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps' work and our role in serving the Wilton community. Thank you to the Kiwanis members for the warm welcome, meaningful questions, and continued support of WVAC's mission. A special thank you to Saul, Mary Anne Franco, and the entire Kiwanis team for their incredibly generous contribution to WVAC. This support, made possible through the Kiwanis 2025 Pumpkin Sale, is a powerful example of neighbors helping neighbors and what is possible when community organizations work together. The Impact of Community Support We are grateful for the partnership, the shared commitment to Wilton, and the opportunity to connect with such a dedicated group. Community support is vital for organizations like ours. It allows us to provide essential services and respond effectively to emergencies. When local organizations collaborate, they create a stronger network. This network can address the needs of the community more efficiently. The Kiwanis Club's contribution is not just a financial boost; it represents a shared vision for a healthier and safer Wilton. Celebrating Generosity Featured below are WVAC Secretary Scott Jones and WVAC Executive Director Al Garavito, accepting this $25,000 donation to WVAC. This generous donation will help us enhance our services. It will allow us to invest in training, equipment, and community outreach programs. Every dollar counts, and this contribution will make a significant difference. Looking Ahead As we look to the future, we remain committed to our mission. We aim to provide the best possible care to the Wilton community. Our partnership with the Kiwanis Club is just one example of how collaboration can lead to positive change. We encourage other organizations and individuals to join us in this mission. Together, we can create a safer and more supportive environment for everyone in Wilton. Conclusion In conclusion, the collaboration between WVAC and the Wilton Kiwanis Club exemplifies the power of community. When we come together, we can achieve great things. We look forward to continuing this partnership and exploring new ways to serve our community. For more information about how you can support our mission, please visit our website. Your involvement can make a difference. --- This article highlights the importance of community support and collaboration. It emphasizes how organizations can work together to enhance services and improve the lives of those in the community. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us.

https://goodmorningwilton.com/wilton-volunteer-ambulance-call-increase-jan-2026-report/

This past Sunday, WVAC members Esther Hilbers, Hans Wernke, and Ben Gasparinni provided standby coverage for the Wilton Carnival in town center. WVAC is grateful for every opportunity to connect with the Wilton community!

After starting the year with a record-setting month in January at 176 calls, WVAC finished the year with another monthly call volume record of 178 calls and ended the year with 1,841 total calls for service, a new high for WVAC. Total Dispatched Incidents: 1,841 Calls Call Volumes by Location Type: Nursing Home/Assisted Living/Extended Care 671 Calls Single Family Private Residence 484 Calls Apartments/Condos 232 Calls Medical Facilities 171 Calls Street/Public Areas 106 Calls Business/Commercial 102 Calls Schools 26 Calls Municipal Buildings 25 Calls Other (Multi-Family, Religious Inst., Group Home) 24 Calls Mutual Aid Calls to Other Service Areas: 73 Calls Georgetown 8 Calls New Canaan 6 Calls Norwalk 56 Calls Weston 3 Calls Mutual Aid Calls into Wilton: 108 Calls

On Sunday, November 23rd, the Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps, in collaboration with the Wilton Police Department, organized a toy drive outside the Wild Child toy store in Wilton. Together, they received the donated new, unwrapped toys, which will be distributed by the Wilton Social Services Department to families in need during this holiday season. At the conclusion of the drive, all the toys were delivered to the Wilton Police Department. The collection was substantial enough to fill one of the holding cells. The Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps extends its gratitude to the Wilton community for their support in this mission. It began as merely an idea and some coordination on our part, but it succeeded thanks to your involvement! Thank you to those involved in planning and execution: EMT's Esther Hilbers, Ava Ray, Hans Wernke, Eric Capina, WVAC Community Events Coordinator - Brian McDermott, and Wilton Police Officer, Shawn Frendt as well as Farah Masani. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Holiday Stroll on December 5th in the town center, as we continue to try and spread holiday cheer.