Frequently
Asked Questions
How
much time will I have to commit to GAA?
GAA
riding members are asked to ride a minimum
of three shifts each month, at least one of
which must be on a weekend (i.e. Friday PM,
Saturday AM or PM, Sunday AM or PM). Shifts
are 12 hours: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM (06:00 - 18:00)
or 6:00 PM - 6:00 AM (18:00 - 06:00). Six-hour
shifts can be arranged by request. While on
duty, EMTs do not have to stay at "the
barn" (GAA Headquarters) but must be
in the Primary Service Area (i.e. Granby or
East Hartland). EMTs are required to stay
at the barn however, if inclement weather
would signficantly increase the time it would
take to get there (e.g. snow storm).
What other committments are there?
GAA holds a two-hour training class on the
second Tuesday of each month, ten months of
each year (no training in August or December).
CT EMS certification must be renewed every
two years by retaking the exam. GAA offers
a preperatory "weekend warrior"
class toward that exam.
Do I have to pay for a uniform?
No. GAA will provide you a uniform and EMS
parka. During the EMT class you will be issued
a stethescope, blood pressure cuff, sissors,
personal breathing mask and pen-light. This
can be the basis for building your own "jump
kit".
What if I'm not strong enough to lift patients?
EMTs are ordinary, everyday men and women
in good health and of average strength. For
difficult lifts, you can get assistance from
police officers, who respond to nearly every
call, or have the dispatcher call for more
EMS or fire department personnel.
"I don't know if I can do that ... I
couldn't do what you do"
You'd be surprised. Have you ever been in
an emergency in which you didn't know what
to do? Scary, wasn't it? Most EMTs feel that
not knowing what to do in an emergency is
scarier. Training and practice will build
your confidence to do what needs to be done
when others around you panic and feel helpless.
What is a "typical" Shift?
Odds are about 50/50 that you will actually
get a call on any given shift. You may go
several shifts with no calls or have a shift
in which there are several calls. It is extremely
rare to get three or more calls in a single
shift. A typical "run" takes about
2 hours from the time you are dispatched to
the time you return back to your house.
What kind of calls can I expect?
While calls can involve motor vehicle
accidents, fire, trauma, etc. more than half
of all calls are for "medical" (not
trauma) situations, often for the elderly.
What if I don't have the skills to help
a critical patient?
GAA EMTs are certified by the State of Connecticut
and required to pass the National Registry
of Emergency Medical Technicians exam. As
such, you will be qualified at the "basic"
(EMT-B) level to deliver non-invasive care.
When you 
encounter
patients who require advanced life support,
you will be able to call paramedics (EMT-P)
or Life-Star helicopter whose crew includes
emergency care Registered Nursesand a respiratory
therapist. GAA intercepts with paramedics
on approximately 30% of all calls.
Do I have to be a riding member or can
I do something else to help GAA?
GAA has a great need for volunteers who can
perform a variety of tasks that require no
medical training: clerical, computer support,
maintenance work on the building, etc. Retirees,
disbabled persons, and anyone else who can
devote a few hours a week can help keep GAA
running smoothly and know they are serving
all people in the community in an important
way.
What
does it cost for training? Will GAA help pay
for it?
The current cost for EMT training is $450.00+
and MRT training is $250+. Once you become
a GAA member, GAA will pay half the fee for
you after you complete the course and the
other half after you have riden for 6 months.
How long is the EMT course?
The course requires 130 hours of class instruction
plus ten hours of ride time in the ambulance
or emergency room observation at St. Francis
Hospital. The classes are held in either of
two formats: two week nights (3-4 hours lectures)
or a weekend day (8 hour lecture).
How long is the MRT course?
The course requires 56 hours of class instruction
plus ten hours of ride time in the ambulance
or emergency room observation at St. Francis
Hospital. The classes are held in either of
two formats: one week night (3-4 hours lectures)
or a weekend day (8 hour lecture).
Why does GAA need volunteers and what happens
if they don't get them?
Like most volunteer organizations, turn-over
is constant and GAA must constantly recruit
to ensure the duty roster is filled. Granby
Ambulance has paid staff to cover weekdays
and volunteers to cover weeknights and weekends.
Should GAA be unable to get enough volunteers
to staff the ambulance, residents of Granby
and East Hartland would be forced to hire
an expensive ambulance company full time.
Will I have to drive the ambulance?
No. GAA prefers to have EMTs who can both
drive and deliver patient care, but it is
not required. To become a driver you must
be over 21 years old (insurance requirement)
with a good driving record. You 
must
also pass a driver training program
which includes a written test and in-the field
driving instruction.
Do I have to know all the streets in town?
No. The ambulance is equipped with maps and
a new laptop PC that uses a GPS (Global Positioning
System) to plot your position and route to
the call. In addition, you may ask the dispatcher
for directions over the radio.
What are the risks for exposure to blood
borne pathogens and commuicable diseases?
The ambulance responds to a variety of situations
in which exposure to blood borne diseases
(e.g. hepatitus-b, hepatitus-c, AIDS/HIV)
and airborne pathogens (e.g. tuberculosis)
is possible. In keeping with state and federal
regulations, GAA provides innoculations against
hepatitus-b and provides riding members with
personal protective 
equipment
(e.g. gloves, masks, face shields, etc.) to
protect against these hazards. In addition,
procedures are in place to provide aggressive
and immediate treatment in the event of an
actual exposure. Over the past ten years,
no GAA personnel have contracted any of the
above diseases as a result of exposure during
a call.
Will I need to get any shots or vaccinations?
Yes. GAA will pay for you to to be innoculated
against hepatitis-B. No other vaccinations
are required. GAA also recommends that you
consult with your regular physician to make
sure your innoculations for tetnus, mumps,
measles, rubella, and diphtheria are up todate
- a good practice even if your not an EMT!
Does GAA insure me if I'm injured or sued?
GAA will cover you with liability and Workman's
Compensation insurance when you are on duty.Can
I be held liable or be sued if something goes
wrong on a call ?"Good Samaritan"
laws protect emergency responders (e.g. EMTs
and MRTs) who act in good faith and competently
provide the standard of care, from lawsuits
brought by patients and or their families.
Will I have to care for patients right
away on my own?
No. After you are certified, you will ride
as a "third" and assist an EMT while
you gain experience and confidence. A GAA
member will be assigned to work with you as
a mentor so that you can become acquainted
with ambulance procedures. Over time, you
will be allowed to care for patients on your
own, based on the approval of your mentor
and the chief of operations.
Are
there any tax incentives?
Yes!
You may earn a $1000 tax refund if you are
a Granby Resident and volunteer your services
for a certain number of hours. Talk to Steve
Johnson (swalkerjohnson@aol.com) for further
details.
I
have more questions who can I talk to?
Please
feel free to call us at 860 653 6535 for any
additional questions or to find out further
information. Its a good idea to call ahead
to make sure we are not on a call beore stopping
by and visiting us. Steve
Johnson(swalkerjohnson@aol.com) is our
current Chief of Operations and would be a
great resource for further information.
