A first responder's fair

The Wantagh-Levittown Volunteer Ambulance Corps held its first community fair on May 15 at Island Trees Middle School in Levittown. In honor of National EMS Week, the organization, established in 1956, attracted more than 100 people to the fair to celebrate 60 years of serving the community.

“This is the start of EMS week, so the department feels that it’s very important to let the community know what we do,” President Michael Muccio said. “Not everyone here calls 911, so it’s nice to showcase what we do besides the emergency stuff.”

More than 60 members from the corps attended the educational event, giving ambulance tours and teaching CPR. The EMS fair, designed to inform community members of WLVAC’s services, offered safety tips for children and helped with awareness for additional organizations in the Wantagh and Levittown communities.

“We have a pretty robust CPR and Narcan program for the community,” Muccio said. “My favorite part is seeing all my members come out and participate. It’s our first year here in front of the middle school, so I think it worked out a lot better than having it at our headquarters.”

The fair featured a bounce house for children, a seminar for teaching children how to call 911, one-on-one meetings with WLVAC members and cadet corps, and free Vial of Life kits. Children were also invited to bring their favorite stuffed toy to the Teddy Bear Clinic to learn first aid.

“This was our way to kick off National EMS week and show everyone what we are about,” said Diane Kingdon, chief of operations. “There were various stations set up including a drug-free tree, where everyone pledges to not do drugs.”

Kingdon said she enjoys working with children the most, especially the scouting troops. During the year, they are able to help them earn their first-aid patch and learn more about first-responder and EMS techniques. “I loved dealing with the kids and seeing all of the families come out and show support,” she added.

Members from the Levittown Public Library and Levittown Chamber of Commerce also attended the event in support of the WLVAC.

“This time of year, we see a lot of people having trouble breathing due to asthma, unfortunately a lot of drug overdoses and the elderly falling,” Kingdon added. “When Wantagh and Levittown are doing good, then we’re quiet.

“The biggest benefit is just letting people know we are here and around the community,” Muccio added.

For more information on the WLVAC and its services, email info@wlvacems.com or call (516) 731-1485.