HISTORY OF NEW BRITAIN EMS

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1957- The New Britain Police Department provided ambulance service to the community for nearly 20 years.

1973- As a result of the Federal Emergency Medical Systems Act, the police department began training its personnel as Emergency Medical Technicians and updated it equipment to suburban vehicles.

1977- The common council of the city of New Britain determined it was in the best interest of the residents to create a separate organization to manage the emergency medical service needs of the community. As a result, New Britain Emergency Medical Services was organized and incorporated as a non-stock and non-profit agency under the Connecticut General Statutes. It was the first Emergency Medical System of its kind in Hartford County.

1978- On January 8, 1978, EMS became the primary 911 emergency care provider for the City of New Britain. It was funded through tax-based support, medical insurance and private pay. EMS acquired two new ambulances through the use of Federal Community Development Funds. The service employed seventeen paid full and part-time employees, and 22 volunteers who responded to 4,616 emergency calls, and transported 3,979 patients.

1984- Staff members were trained and certified to administer intravenous fluids to critically injured patients while at the scene of accidents. This advanced intermediate level of care enhanced the survival rate of patients.

1988- On February 3, the first seven NBEMS staff members graduated from a paramedic-training program conducted by the University of Connecticut, New Britain General Hospital, and Manchester Memorial Hospital. Grant funding for the course was obtained from the A.W. Stanley Charitable Foundation, the Robert C. Vance Charitable Foundation, and New Britain General Hospital. This advancement provided a new dimension to the delivery of emergency medical care. Qualified paramedics were now bringing life-saving procedures once performed only in the emergency room to the patient.

2001- NBEMS launches first capital campaign “Partners in Community Care” and raises $400,000 for a new ambulance, computer records system, and community safety education programs.

2002 – NBEMS with donations from Moore Medical creates the EMS Emergency Bike Team. These EMT’s and Paramedics on specially-equipped bicycles are very useful at large community events. 

2003 – First training for NBEMS staff for bio-chemical agents and terrorism response training.

2005- NBEMS completed the first responder training for the New Britain Fire Department. When a person has stopped breathing, it is imperative to get them help within the first four minutes. Since firehouses are scattered around the city, firemen who are trained as First Responders can be the “first on the scene” and begin life-saving measures until the ambulance arrives. Thanks to the Mayor and the New Britain Common Council for approving a First Responder System in 2004.

2006- NBEMS has completed the renovation and enlargement of our present facility on Arch Street. The building will house all of our vehicles, the Bike Team, equipment, and has a state of the art training center to meet the needs of our community and the surrounding region.

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