Volunteers are always needed for emergency response services and Spencerport Volunteer Ambulance is no exception. For this photo taken at last year's Spencerport Canal Days in July, Jorge Magin, Roberta Derue, Kathy Campbell, Eric Jensen, left to right, take a break from staffing the SVA's emergency information and blood pressure check booth. Westside News Inc. staff photo.

Spencerport Volunteer Ambulance Service Inc. (SVA) responds to 900 to 1,100 calls every year with only 39 active members. "Some of our older members have retired and the others have only so much time they can give," said SVA President Glenn Granger. That is why the organization is hoping it can attract new volunteers who are willing to put in the time for training, then devote at least ten hours a month to the service.

"If we don't increase our membership, it is conceivable that we will have to take the base off the air and calls would be dispatched downtown," said Granger. Some towns and villages have gone to non-manned bases where volunteers are paged when a call comes in to the 911 Center, but Granger said he hopes it doesn't come to that. "We've had people come right to our door because they don't want to make the call. People are used to having us around," he said.

Volunteers can either receive their training elsewhere or be trained right on-site. To dispatch, a volunteer would only need a standard first aid card to begin. Responding to an Emergency is a classification awarded through the American Red Cross and allows an individual to drive an ambulance, as does Certified First Responder. Much of the training for both positions can be received on-site. About three and a half months of training is required to be an emergency medical technician (EMT), which can be done at Monroe Community College (MCC) or one of its satellites. Requiring the most training is the position of paramedic, which is a 17-month program at MCC.

Granger stressed that those interested in receiving training need not be concerned about the cost involved because Monroe County will often pick up tab. Spencerport Ambulance, itself, also sponsors individuals, so they can receive their training at no cost. Spencerport also has an active Explorer Post that enables high school students to begin receiving training in field.

In addition to volunteers, Spencerport Ambulance is manned by a Basic Life Support technician from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, and an Advanced Life Support technician, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. The ambulance service is funded through United Way of Rochester, billing and donations.

For those not interested in riding in an ambulance, but who still would like to volunteer, there is a Special Services Membership, which allows someone to serve as a committee member. "If there's someone who wants to get involved, we'll find a way for them to get involved," said Granger.

For more information on becoming a volunteer, call 352-4742 or stop in for an application. Spencerport Volunteer Ambulance Service, Inc. is located at 116 Lyell Avenue, Spencerport.