Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps

08/30/2026

Nineteen emergency 911 calls for CVAC’s volunteers this past week including the following:
• Several patients injured in falls
• Patient with a cardiac issue
• Patient injured in a motor vehicle crash
• Patient having difficulty breathing
Regular readers of CVAC’s posts will appreciate that one of our more common calls is for patients who suffer injuries in falls. We had several this past week. A fall can happen in an instant—and knowing what to do next can make a big difference. If someone falls, don’t immediately try to pick them up. They may have an injury that isn't obvious, and moving them could make it worse. Instead:
• Stay calm and keep them still. Ask if they are hurt and whether they can tell you what happened.
• Check for obvious bleeding and apply gentle, direct pressure to any significant bleeding.
• Look for signs of a serious injury. Confusion, loss of consciousness, severe pain, difficulty breathing, weakness, or a change in behavior are reasons to call 911.
• Call 911 if you're concerned. Don't hesitate to call because you're unsure whether the injury is serious.
• Don't force them to stand. If they are unable to get up, are in significant pain, or may have injured their head, neck, or back, leave them in the position you find them unless there is an immediate danger.
• Keep the area safe. Move pets and other hazards away while you wait for help.
Remember: A fall isn't always “just a fall.” Especially in older adults, a seemingly minor fall can result in a serious injury. If you're ever unsure, call 911. CVAC is here to help our community—24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

08/23/2026

CVAC volunteers resounded to a dozen calls last week including the following:

• Patient with wrist injury
• Patient having seizures
• Patient who passed out
• Patient with abdominal pain

You don’t have to be a medical professional to save a life. When someone suddenly collapses and is not breathing normally, every second matters. Starting CPR before an ambulance arrives can dramatically improve the person’s chance of survival. The good news? You don’t need to be trained to get started. If you see someone collapse:
• Call 911 — or have someone nearby make the call.
• Start chest compressions. Push hard and fast in the center of the person’s chest, aiming for about 100–120 compressions per minute.
• Follow the 911 dispatcher’s instructions. The dispatcher can talk you through what to do until EMS arrives.
• Use an AED if one is available. These devices are designed to provide clear instructions and can analyze the heart rhythm and advise when a shock is appropriate.
You don't need to be perfect. Doing something is far better than doing nothing.
CVAC members train regularly to respond to cardiac emergencies, but we may not be there when a cardiac arrest first occurs. That's why knowing a few basic steps can make such a difference. Consider taking a CPR course—you could someday be the person who makes the difference between life and death.

08/16/2026

Nineteen calls this past week for CVAC’s volunteers. Our calls included the following:
• Several patients injured in a car crashes
• Patient who was lethargic
• Patient possibly having a stroke
• Patient with chest pain
You’re driving down a road and you look in the rearview mirror and see flashing lights and hear the ambulance’s siren. What should you do? When you see an ambulance approaching with lights and sirens activated, your actions can help emergency responders reach someone in need safely and quickly. Here’s what to do:
• Pull over safely. Move to the right side of the road as soon as it is safe to do so. Avoid stopping suddenly or blocking an intersection. Also, avoid stopping on the curved part of a road.
• Give us plenty of room. Emergency vehicles may need to maneuver around stopped traffic or make unexpected movements.
• Watch for additional emergency vehicles. An ambulance may be followed by another ambulance, fire truck, or police vehicle. Don’t pull back into traffic until you’re sure the way is clear.
• At intersections, be especially careful. If you have a green light, look in all directions before proceeding. Never try to “beat” an approaching ambulance through an intersection.
• Don’t follow closely behind an ambulance. It’s dangerous and can interfere with responders who may need to stop or maneuver suddenly.
Remember: When you hear sirens or see flashing emergency lights, slow down, stay alert and give emergency responders the space they need. Every second counts when we are trying to get to a scene to help a patient in need.

08/09/2026

A relatively quiet week for CVAC with only ten calls. Our calls included the following:
• Patient who was hypotensive
• Patient with a head injury from a fall
• Patient who had an allergic reaction to peanuts
• Several patients injured in motor vehicle crashes

A motor vehicle crash can be frightening and confusing. What you do immediately afterward can help keep you, your passengers, and others on the road safe. If you’re involved in a crash:
• Call 911. Even if injuries don’t appear serious, let emergency professionals assess the situation. Give the dispatcher your location and follow their instructions.
• Make yourself visible. If it is safe to do so, turn on your hazard lights and use warning devices if available.
• Stay in your vehicle if it’s safer. Moving around near traffic can put you at additional risk. Unless there is an immediate danger—such as fire—remain in your vehicle and wait for emergency responders.
• Don’t move injured people unnecessarily. Moving someone who may have a neck, back, or other serious injury can potentially make things worse. Leave that to trained responders unless there is an immediate life-threatening danger.
• Watch for additional hazards. Traffic, leaking fuel, downed wires, fire, or unstable vehicles can create dangers after a crash.
• When first responders arrives (usually police, fire and/or EMS), follow our instructions. Our priority is making the scene safe, evaluating everyone involved, and getting those who need care the appropriate treatment.

08/02/2026

Twenty-three calls this past week for CVAC’s volunteers. Our calls included the following:

• Motor vehicle crash (car into tree)
• Several patients having difficulty breathing
• Patient having chest pain
• Patient having seizures

July was another busy month for CVAC with 85 calls, once again more than our historical average for July and more than 27% over the call volume for July 2025. Our volunteers logged 2,161 hours on duty in July. Our call volume for the year thus far exceed by a wide margin last year’s. For the first seven months of 2026, we are up more than 22% over last year and we are poised to have the most calls ever this year in our 90 year history.

Want to give back to our community and help us cover all these calls? Now is the perfect time to join CVAC. Please reach out so we can provide information. No prior medical training or knowledge is necessary and we will arrange for all the training you need at no cost. Schedules are flexible and can be tailored to meet the needs of even the busiest people. Please visit our website – joinCVAC.org – or reach out to our Captain at [email protected].

07/26/2026

Twenty calls this past week for the volunteers at CVAC. Our calls included the following:
• Several patients having difficulty breathing
• Patient experiencing chest pain
• Child having seizures
• Several patients injured in falls
In an emergency, every second counts. One of the easiest ways to help first responders provide the safest and most effective care is to keep an up-to-date list of your medications. On every call, we need to get a detailed history of a patient’s medical history and medications. Having an up-to-date list of these things can save time and greatly assist us. Your list should include:
• Prescription medications
• Over-the-counter medicines
• Vitamins and supplements
• Drug and other allergies
• Medical conditions
• Your physician's name and emergency contact
Store a printed copy in an easy-to-find location, such as on your refrigerator, in your wallet, or with your identification. Review your medication list every few months and update it whenever a medication is started, stopped, or its dosage changes. If you care for an aging parent, spouse, or family member, take a few minutes to ensure their medication information is accurate and readily available. This simple preparation can help EMS personnel make informed treatment decisions when time matters most.

07/19/2026

Thirteen calls this past week for CVAC and our volunteer crews. Our calls included the following:
• Patient who was lethargic
• Patient who suffered injuries in a fall
• Patient who suffered injuries from airbag after motor vehicle crash
• Baby who had a seizure
In an emergency, every minute matters. One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting too long to call 911, hoping symptoms will improve on their own. Unfortunately, that delay can make a life-threatening situation even more serious. If someone is experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of a stroke, severe allergic reaction, uncontrolled bleeding, or suddenly becomes confused or unresponsive, don't hesitate—call 911 immediately. The sooner emergency medical professionals arrive, the sooner lifesaving treatment can begin. EMTs can assess patients, provide critical care on scene, and begin treatment while transporting them to the hospital. Early intervention can improve outcomes and, in many cases, save lives. Remember, you are never "bothering" EMS by calling for help. We'd much rather respond to a situation that turns out to be less serious than arrive too late when valuable time has been lost. CVAC’S volunteers are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, ready to respond whenever our neighbors need us most.

07/12/2026

Twenty-three calls this past week for CVAC’s volunteers including the following:
• Patient who was choking
• Patient with carbon monoxide poisoning
• Patient with a cardiac issue
• Patient who was suicidal
In a serious emergency, the first few minutes matter. Severe bleeding can become life-threatening in just minutes, often before emergency responders reach the scene. That's why knowing a few simple bleeding control techniques can make a lifesaving difference. If someone is bleeding heavily:
• Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or bandage.
• If possible, keep pressure on the wound until EMS arrives.
• If the bleeding is severe and won't stop, a properly applied tourniquet may be necessary. Many workplaces, schools, and public buildings now have bleeding control kits available.
• Call 911 immediately and follow the dispatcher's instructions while help is on the way.
You don't have to be a healthcare professional to make a difference. Learning basic bleeding control skills through a community training course can prepare you to act confidently in an emergency and potentially save a life.

07/05/2026

Twenty-three emergency 911 calls for CVAC this past week. Our calls included the following:
• Several patients injured in several car crashes
• Patient experiencing sepsis
• Several patients having difficulty breathing
• Several patients injured in falls

June 2026 was a record-breaking month for CVAC with 92 calls, the most ever for any June in our 90 year history. By contrast, we had 83 calls in June 2025. Our 2026 call volume continues to be well above historic norms. For the first half of 2026, our call volume exceeded last year’s by 22%.

Now is the perfect time to join CVAC and help us help others. Please reach out so we can provide information. No prior medical training or knowledge is necessary and we will arrange for all the training you need at no cost. Schedules are flexible and can be tailored to meet the needs of even the busiest people. Please visit our website – joinCVAC.org – or reach out to our Captain at [email protected].

07/04/2026