Members of the Shelter Island EMS squad gathered to celebrate another year of volunteer service, with a dinner and awards ceremony at Gardiner’s Bay Country Club.
Marian Brownlie, a longstanding member of the Town’s EMS Advisory Board, organized the October 6th fête, as she has for many years. Shelter Island Police Department Detective/Sergeant Jack H. Thilberg, who serves as the Town’s EMS Director, was the emcee.
The EMS Distinguished Service Award went to Phil Power, current EMS co-chief and the Island’s only paramedic. Recently retired, he was not present at the dinner because he and his wife, Phyllis, were on a long-planned vacation, Thilberg said.
Power, who responded to 51.5 percent of calls, was also named EMT of the Year, becoming the only member of the squad to win the designation twice.
“He did 40-some years of service to this community and as we all know, it’s his passion,” Thilberg said. “I don’t know how he is going to wean out of it, but I believe Phyllis has some ideas. So we’re going to work with Phil to transition into his retirement because I know it’s not going to be a simple one for him.”
Regarding the EMT of the Year award, co-Chief Mark Kanarvogel said, “I’m sure almost everyone in this room has seen Phil in their house one time or another, 2 o’clock in the morning, 2 o’clock in the afternoon.”
It was only fitting to honor Power for the last year, as well as for his many years of distinguished service, Kanarvogel said.
Driver of the Year
Annmarie Seddio, who is the Town’s elected Receiver of Taxes, was named Driver of the Year. Thilberg noted that she responded to 22.2 percent of all calls.
Along with a plaque, she was given a pink stethoscope. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and Seddio, a cancer survivor, is an advocate for women’s health initiatives. Seddio also assisted this year with the recruitment and training of new volunteers, Thilberg said.
Kanarvogel, who responded to 83.1 percent of calls this year, asked that all who had served with him on calls to stand. Most of those in the room got to their feet.
“This is not just a group of people,” Kanarvogel said. “This is a team. We’re not paid. We’re not doing it for the money. We’re not doing it for any kind of glory.”
“But I want you all to know that it’s a comfort to me, personally, to see these people on calls with me,” he said. “It’s a pleasure to be part of this. For all of you, thank you so much.”
‘The first line of defense’
Father Peter DeSanctis of Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church kicked off the service recalling the earliest days of the pandemic.
At the time, he said, some wondered what would happen if “certain groups of people [such as the gathered EMS volunteers] were to say ‘Well, everybody else is staying home to be safe, I should stay home to be safe.’ Which did not happen, as you know.”
“Once in a while I think to myself, suppose someday we call 911 and there’s no ambulance. Here on Shelter island, it’s the first line of defense. It’s the urgent care of Shelter Island,” he said, offering a prayer of gratitude.
“That was a very strange year,” Thilberg said, about the impact of the pandemic which sidelined some volunteers. “But we made it.”
The squad did not hold its annual dinner in 2020, and due to ongoing pandemic concerns, this year’s event was scaled back. County, regional, and state EMS representatives who might typically attend did not participate.
‘Trinkets’ and other honors
In the course of the evening, Thilberg handed out what he called “trinkets” (safety vests, badges, and stethoscopes) to honor individuals for hours spent in training and service.
In all, 19 members earned enough hours to qualify for the Town’s Length of Service Award Program, he said. The program provides volunteer EMS and firefighters access to retirement benefits.
To qualify, the EMS volunteers must serve for at least five years, attain a certain level of training and respond to at least 10 percent of calls in a year.
EMTs who qualified this year are Kanarvogel (responded to 83.1 percent of calls), Power (51.5 percent), Kevin Dunning (26.1 percent), Debbie Brewer (22.6 percent), Michael Martin (21.6 percent) Jim Preston (13.4 percent), Cathy Rasmussen (13.4 percent), Sam Case (12.7 percent), Mary Kanarvogel (10.6 percent) and Nicole Strauss (10.1 percent).
Ambulance drivers who qualified this year are Ollie Campbell (76.6 percent), Kate Davidson (50.5 percent), Nick Young (24.3 percent), Annmarie Seddio (20.2 percent), Art Bloom (17.5 percent), Alyse Clark (14.4 percent), Chris Doyle (12.7 percent) and Tyler Shepherd (11.3 percent).
Old business
Retroactively, Thilberg also recognized tenured active members Campbell, Alyse Clark, Davidson, Evan Guillemin, and Shepherd.
He also recognized two members in training, Don Regan and Arielle Gardner; and Heather Fundora, who has just begun her service.
The full roster
In addition to co-Chiefs Power and Kanarvogel, EMS leadership includes Assistant Chief Debbie Brewer and Secretary Donna Clark. Dr. Frank Adipietro is the medical director.
Volunteer squad members are:
Arthur Bloom, Sean Brewer, Jillian Calabro, Ollie Campbell, Sam Case, Alyse Clark, Mia Clark, Stacey Clark, Kate Davidson, Chris Doyle, Kevin Dunning, Jack Fairbairn, Heather Fundora, Arielle Gardner, Evan Guillemin, Peter Humphrey, Mary Kanarvogel, Glenn Kehl, Jennifer Lehmannn, Michael Martin, James Preston, Cathy Rasmussen, Donald Regan, Annmarie Seddio, Tyler Shepherd, Judy Sherman, Nicole Strauss, Reeves Thompson, Mariana K. Torrealba, Audrey Wason-Wigley and Nick Young.
At the meeting, Thilberg officially welcomed two new trainees: Timothy J. Dalton and Coco Lee Thuman.
Advisory board and other associates
Kanarvogel described Marian Brownlie as “our biggest advocate in Town.” As a token of gratitude, she was given a potted orchid.
Brownlie spoke on behalf of the EMS Advisory Board, telling volunteers, “Everybody is so appreciative for all you do for the community.”
In addition to Brownlie, the board includes Chairman Peter McCracken, Dr. Charles Ihlenfeld, Doug Matz, and Helen Rosenblum, who is honored as the squad’s lifetime member.
The EMS works closely with the Town’s Fire, Highway, and Police departments, and Thilberg drew attention to representatives in attendance including Shelter Island Police Chief James J. Read Jr.; Highway Superintendent Brian Sherman; Fire Department Chief Anthony Reiter; Joyce Bausman, former director of EMS and CEO of the Shelter Island Red Cross; and Barbara Bloom, who handles EMS paperwork for the Town.
He also recognized Town Board members Jim Colligan and Albert Dickson. Deputy Supervisor Amber Brach-Williams, who is the Town Board liaison to the EMS squad, apologized on behalf of Supervisor Gerry Siller for his absence and thanked those assembled for their commitment to the community.
“I appreciate everything that you all do,” Brach-Williams said. “You are an amazing group of people.”
The Shelter Island Ambulance Foundation is a nonprofit that raises funds for EMS equipment and supplies beyond what’s available through the Town budget. The foundation aims to fund the purchase of a new ambulance every five years, as well as state-of-the-art equipment.
Long-time EMS volunteer Jim Preston, who handles PR for the squad, has run the foundation since its launch 10 years ago in November. The third ambulance funded by the nonprofit is expected to come on line later this year.
“And it’s all because grateful patients are happy patients,” Preston said. “Thanks for everything you all do. The community loves you!”
Editor’s note: If you would like to make a donation to the foundation, you can do so at http://siambulancefoundation.org.
