Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association

05/26/2026

Provider Spotlight: AEMT Don Delage

This week, we are proud to introduce and recognize AEMT Don Delage.

Don joined Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association in January 2020 as a Volunteer EMR and has been a dedicated member of our organization ever since. He completed an EMT course with us in 2023 and recently celebrated his one-year anniversary as a paid provider with SVAA, continuing his commitment to serving the Suffield community.

Don was also part of our Fall 2025 cohort of Advanced EMTs and recently earned Medical Control authorization to practice independently as an AEMT in late February. This milestone reflects his hard work, clinical growth, and dedication to advancing his skills as an EMS provider.

In addition to his field role, Don serves on SVAA’s Clinical Care Taskforce, where he provides valuable insight as a practicing AEMT and contributes to the ongoing improvement of patient care within our organization.

Don’s commitment to service extends beyond SVAA. He also volunteers with the Warehouse Point Fire Department, further demonstrating his dedication to public safety and community service.

Pictured are Leon Allegretti from the Trinity Health of New England Office of Medical Direction, AEMT Don Delage, and Paramedic Jackie Guzie, who served as Don’s primary preceptor.

Please join us in congratulating Don on his accomplishments and thanking him for his continued service to SVAA and the communities he supports.

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to remember the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.

Memorial Day is more than the unofficial start of summer. It is a day of reflection, gratitude, and remembrance for those who never made it home and for the families who carry their legacy forward each day.

Their courage, selflessness, and devotion to something greater than themselves continue to inspire all who serve our communities. As EMS providers, we are reminded daily that service is built on sacrifice, compassion, and commitment to others.

Please join the Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association in honoring and remembering our fallen heroes today.

We remember.
We honor.
We will never forget. 🇺🇸

05/23/2026

As EMS Week 2026 comes to a close, we pause today in remembrance.

We honor and pay tribute to the EMS professionals who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others, and we remember the countless providers, members, and supporters who helped build the foundation of EMS in our community.

For 50 years, the Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association has been shaped by those willing to answer the call, often during people’s worst moments, with compassion, courage, and selflessness. Many of those individuals are no longer with us, but their legacy continues in every response, every patient cared for, and every life touched by EMS.

Today, we especially keep the family and loved ones of John Biggerstaff in our thoughts and prayers as he is laid to rest this morning.

John was a founding charter member of the Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association in 1976 and served our community as an EMT for eight years, in addition to serving on our Board of Directors. His dedication and service helped lay the groundwork for the organization we are today, including being recognized as the 2026 National EMS Management Association Agency of the Year.

We are grateful for John’s service, leadership, and commitment to our community. We honor his memory, along with all those who came before us and dedicated themselves to serving others.

As we conclude EMS Week 2026 and our 50th Anniversary celebration, we remain committed to carrying forward that legacy of service and continuing to improve outcomes, together.

Rest easy, John. Your legacy lives on.

05/22/2026

Today, on EMS Recognition Day during EMS Week 2026, we proudly celebrate 50 years of service to the Town of Suffield and our surrounding communities.

For five decades, the Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association has stood beside our community during moments of crisis, compassion, uncertainty, and hope. This milestone is not just about an organization. It is about the hundreds of dedicated providers, members, leaders, families, and supporters who came before us and helped shape who we are today.

Their commitment, sacrifice, and vision built the foundation that continues to guide us forward.

We also recognize that none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of our community. Every resident, donor, partner agency, elected official, healthcare partner, and behind-the-scenes supporter has played a role in our journey.

Together, those partnerships helped shape the organization that was recently honored as the 2026 National EMS Management Association Agency of the Year.

That recognition belongs to every person who has worn our patch, answered a call, supported our mission, or believed in the importance of high-quality EMS in Suffield.

As we celebrate EMS Recognition Day and 50 years of service, we say thank you.

Thank you for trusting us.
Thank you for supporting us.
Thank you for improving outcomes, together.

05/21/2026

🚑 EMS WEEK | SAVE A LIFE DAY 🚑

At the Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association, saving lives goes far beyond responding to 911 calls.

We proudly supply, inspect, maintain, and replace life-saving equipment throughout the Town of Suffield so help is always within reach when seconds matter most.

✔ Every publicly accessible Town building is equipped with an AED and Stop the Bleed kit
✔ Every public school has multiple AEDs and stop the bleed kits
✔ Every Town park has an AED available
✔ A total of 51 AEDs are deployed throughout Suffield
✔ Every police and fire vehicle carries an AED

In addition to emergency response, we regularly host CPR and lifesaving education courses for community members, businesses, civic organizations, and local groups because prepared communities save lives.

Whether it’s CPR, AED awareness, or stop the bleed training, we are always happy to come teach your organization or event.

This EMS Week, we are proud to stand alongside our public safety partners and community members under the 2026 EMS Week theme:

“Improving Outcomes, Together.”

05/20/2026

🚑💙 EMS for Children Day 💙🚑

From premature neonates to maturing teenagers, caring for children in emergency situations requires specialized training, equipment, preparation, and compassion.

At Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association, we are committed to ensuring we are always ready to care for our smallest patients when they need us most. Through ongoing pediatric-focused education, hands-on skills training, pediatric-specific equipment, and the active involvement of our Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator (PECC), we continue working to strengthen pediatric readiness across our organization.

Our PECC works closely with our clinical and operations leadership teams to help ensure our providers have the tools, knowledge, and support needed to deliver safe, effective, evidence-based care for children of all ages.

Whether it’s a premature newborn, a frightened toddler, an injured child, or a critically ill teenager, we stand ready for the challenge because every child deserves exceptional emergency care.

Thank you to all EMS providers who dedicate themselves to improving outcomes for children and families every day.

05/20/2026

Happy EMS Week and Congratulations to all the graduates in Cohort 65. A big congratulations is due to Captain Jacob Audet who balanced his obligations to our Association along with his studies and full-time employment. We look forward to watching Jacob grow as a provider!

Congratulations and Happy to CT State Capital’s 65th cohort of paramedics!

05/19/2026

Today is EMS Safety Day, and at Suffield EMS, safety is more than a priority, it is an investment in our providers, our patients, and our community.

Protecting our crews means equipping them with the tools and technology to operate safer on the road and deliver safer care at the bedside.

Our fleet is equipped with Samsara Drive Cameras and real-time telematics to support proactive driver coaching, improve accountability, and enhance fleet awareness. Through the HAAS Alert Safety Cloud system, nearby drivers receive alerts when emergency vehicles are approaching or stopped ahead, helping create safer roadways for everyone.

Clinically, we continue to invest in technology that supports patient safety and provider decision-making. Through AI-supported clinical tools and EMACC medication cross-checking, our providers have additional safeguards that help enhance accuracy and confidence during medication administration.

Safety is not just about reducing risk. It is about protecting the people who answer the call every day and strengthening the trust our community places in us.

Safer providers. Stronger community.

05/18/2026

Today, during EMS Week 2026, we recognize Education Day — a day dedicated to highlighting the importance of continuing education, professional development, and public injury and illness prevention programs within our communities.

The education required to become an EMS provider is extensive, rigorous, and never truly ends.

An EMT completes more than 190 hours of initial education followed by over 80 hours of field training before being cleared to practice independently. Providers advancing through our AEMT program complete an additional 250+ hours of advanced education and field precepting. Those pursuing Paramedic certification commit to more than 2,000 hours of college-affiliated education and hundreds of additional clinical and field training hours.

And that is only the beginning.

EMS providers continue training throughout their careers with annual continuing education in areas such as cardiac care, respiratory emergencies, trauma, pediatrics, obstetrics, medical emergencies, and more — all to ensure we are prepared to deliver the highest level of care to our community when it matters most.

At Suffield EMS, we are proud to invest in our people through scholarship opportunities, advanced training programs, and hands-on educational experiences. Recently, we hosted a Neonatal Resuscitation Provider (NRP) course right here in Suffield, further expanding specialized training opportunities for our providers and regional partners.

We are also proud to operate one of the only Advanced EMT (AEMT) programs in the State of Connecticut, with another course planned for this fall.

Education strengthens providers. Strong providers strengthen communities.

Thank you to all of the EMS educators, preceptors, mentors, and providers who dedicate themselves to lifelong learning and professional growth.

05/17/2026

This week, we proudly join EMS agencies across the nation in recognizing EMS Week 2026, celebrated May 17–23, with this year’s theme: “Improving Outcomes, Together.”

Established in 1974 by President Gerald Ford, EMS Week was created to honor the dedication of Emergency Medical Services professionals and to recognize the critical role EMS plays in protecting the health and safety of our communities. It is a time to reflect on the compassion, professionalism, resilience, and teamwork required to answer the call every day.

At the Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association, EMS Week is also an opportunity to recognize that caring for our community starts with caring for our people.

Today’s theme, Health, Wellness & Resilience Day, highlights the importance of supporting the physical and mental well-being of first responders. EMS professionals face extraordinary challenges, and building a strong, healthy, and resilient team is essential to delivering the highest level of patient care.

Over the past year, SVAA has continued investing in the wellness of our crews through initiatives including:

• An active Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Peer support resources
• Department-wide training in Active Bystandership
• Educational programs led by fitness and nutrition experts
• The creation of a new Health & Wellness Space made possible through the generous support of the Amiel and Mary Anne Zak Public Service Fund

These initiatives reflect our belief that supporting the health and wellness of our providers directly strengthens our ability to serve the community with excellence, compassion, and professionalism.

Throughout EMS Week, we’ll be highlighting each themed day and sharing more about the people, programs, partnerships, and values that help drive our mission forward.

Thank you to our providers, members, public safety partners, healthcare colleagues, and community for your continued support.

Healthy minds. Strong teams. Better outcomes.
Together, we make a difference.

02/22/2026

Starting this evening, our area will be impacted by a significant winter storm.

Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association will be upstaffing and strategically staging crews to ensure we are prepared to respond to emergencies throughout the storm.

We encourage our community to prepare now:
• Charge cell phones and portable electronic devices in case of power outages
• Ensure you have an adequate supply of medications
• If you utilize home oxygen, confirm you have sufficient cylinders and an emergency backup plan coordinated with your provider

While snowfall totals locally may be lower than other parts of the state, please understand this storm will impact our service area. Many of the hospitals we transport to are expected to experience significant conditions. This may result in longer transport times, slower turnaround times, and potential impacts to overall response times.

Our partners at the Suffield Police Department Dispatch Center will keep callers informed of any response delays if they arise.

Please stay safe and avoid unnecessary travel during the storm.