Junior ambulance volunteers recognized
NEWARK - The Newark-Arcadia Volunteer Ambulance
junior membership
program, established
in 2007, is an educational
and experiential opportunity
for youth ages 14 to 17.
By becoming junior
members of NAVA, high
school students learn what
it means to work as an
EmergencyMedical Technician,
ambulance driver and
paramedic. Junior members
engage in learning activities,
training drills, public
service and a book/journal
club, and, when ready,
will ride on ambulances
and assist the medics in
patient care or the drivers
with operations, support
and restock.
Currently, the program
has 15 members who meet
weekly for training and camaraderie.
Shawn Flanagan,
a NAVA paramedic
and a science teacher at
the Newark Central School
District, coordinates the
junior program.
Having been a paramedic
for 10 years and an educator
since 1996, Flanagan
said he wanted to offer
young people an opportunity
to experience the emergency
medical services field,
giving them a chance to
decide whether or not they
might have an interest in
that type work, either as a
career or as a volunteer.
All junior members are
required to obtain certification
in cardiopulmonary
resuscitation and first aid,
as well as take classes on
blood-borne pathogens and
the National Incident Management
System. Junior
members are always invited
to attend classes and
lectures offered by NAVA,
the county and the Regional
Emergency Medical Services
Council.
They also participate in
scenario-driven exercises
to practice their skills and
learn new ones, like radio
operations. Junior members
can, when ready, ride
the ambulances with
trained junior member supervisors,
experienced EMS
personnel who have taken
additional training in the
education of adolescents.
As members progress
through various training
sessions, they earn points
and promotions based on
ranking systems used by
other organizations that
seek to recognize young
people for their advancement.
As part of a volunteer organization,
junior members
take an active role in their
community. They have
raised money for Mercy
Flight Central with a car
wash event; assisted local
Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and
Cub Scouts in meeting various
first aid and safety requirements;
and introduced
elementary school
students to the role of EMS.
Anyone interested in
joining the program may
pick up an application at
the NAVA base at 301 Frey
St., Newark; at the Newark
High School Work Experience
Office and Career Center,
or from Flanagan at the Newark Middle School.
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