The all-volunteer Chatham Emergency Squad (CES) enjoyed a celebratory evening of recognition, awards, dinner and dancing as they lauded outgoing officers and welcomed their 2025 officers.
This year’s Administrative officers were introduced by newly elected President, Nicole DiMaggio –Ellen Blazoski, Secretary; Dan Farkas, Facilities VP; Christine Grobert, Finance VP; Brenda Koehler, Membership VP; and Kara McCaffrey, Community Engagement VP. Bryan McGookin, newly elected Captain, introduced the Operations officers –Jon Carlsson, Training Lieutenant; Marshall Hayes, Operations Lieutenant; and Tom LeRoux, Equipment Lieutenant. Also recognized were members celebrating their 5-year anniversaries – Jon Carlsson, Sam Cooperman, Dan Farkas, Marshall Hayes, and Bill Wolsch.
During his remarks, Captain McGookin reported on CES’ strength and breadth of service. Of its 98 members, 73 are EMTs, including 12 high school cadets; 8 members are working towards their EMT certification; and 17 auxiliary members are supporting critical administrative functions. CES members range from juniors in high school to seasoned members, including 10 members with over 10 years of service and a combined 142 years of experience. McGookin also noted that in 2024, CES responded to 1,337 calls. Of these,136 were “second calls” where the duty crew was on a call and a second dispatch of off-duty members responded and 8 were “third calls” requiring a second off-duty crew and all three ambulances to be in use at the same time.
In addition to CES’ first priority of providing emergency care and transport, CES provides standby non-emergency service for CHS football games, the Fishawack, Turkey Trot and Trot the Manor runs, as well as many other events throughout the community. McGookin also recognized CES’ CPR instructors, who in 2024, trained 337 people including 69 CES members and 268 members of the community including police, fire and public works employees, teachers, coaches, and residents.
McGookin emphasized that these impressive statistics are indicators of individual “patient interactions where our dedicated EMTs provided the highest level of care to our sick or injured neighbors.” The Captain reminded all those in attendance that “When we answer these calls, we are met with people who may be having the worst day of their month, year, or even their entire life. We use our skills to support them with treatment and transport to the definitive care they require at the hospital.”
In addition to the recognition of new officers, the night is an opportunity for members and their families to receive thanks for their extraordinary commitment to CES. President DiMaggio ended her remarks by saying, “So to our members, thank you for your fortitude and adaptability. To our families, thank you for standing by us. And to all of our supporters, thank you for your generosity and your belief in us. Together, we will ensure that the Chatham Emergency Squad remains a pillar of strength and service in Chatham and beyond for many years to come.”
Later in the evening, it was announced that Steve Davenport would receive the highly coveted Dick Richards Award. Richards was a former CES member and considered to be the highest caliber member in the history of CES. Recipients are never told of the award ahead of the presentation, which was made by long standing members and close friends, Sam Francis and Evan Skinner. Davenport, who was recognized earlier in the evening for his twenty+ years of service to CES, was nominated for the award based on his long history of extraordinary service to CES and his leadership of the renovation of the 45 Spring Street headquarters project and the capital campaign that financed it. Following a standing ovation, Davenport paid tribute to those members who came before him and echoed earlier praise of CES’ history, strength and commitment to mission.
Following this final presentation, attendees enjoyed dessert and dancing with Fantasy Productions DJ, confident in the knowledge that Chatham citizens’ emergency care was being covered by the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad until the following morning.
The all-volunteer Chatham Emergency Squad provides basic life support to the Chatham community 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, at no charge to their patients. CES is almost 100% dependent on donations from the community and is deeply appreciative of the generosity shown in its 85+ years of service, particularly in the last three years while the capital campaign ran. CES is always interested in speaking with anyone interested in knowing more about joining the vibrant and highly trained squad. Interested adults should contact CES by email at membership@chathamemergencysquad.org or via the website at www.chathamemergencysquad.org
