History of EVAC

The Ellington Volunteer Ambulance Corps was founded in early 1962 by a group of five individuals headed by Ken Gayton of the Office of Civil Defense. A used 1952 Cadillac hearse was purchased for $400 and converted into an ambulance which was placed in service in May of 1962. The training requirement to become a member was completion of an advanced first aid course. During much of the 1960s, the ambulance was operated by two person teams with communication coordinated by the Vernon Police Department. EVAC's vehicle was known as Emergency 31 with the Vernon PD known as Station 3.

In 1969, the ambulance designation was changed to Rescue 512 and communications were dispatched from Tolland County Mutual Aid Fire Service where it remains today. EVAC has grown from the five member, loosely knit organization to the current Basic Life Support, structured, 40+ member organization. Training has advanced from basic first aid to a comprehensive EMT-Basic course, as well as CPR and regular training that allows members to provide the best emergency care possible.

Facts about EVAC

• Both paid and volunteer personnel

• Two ambulances - one staffed 24/7 - and one service vehicle

• Rescue Post 512 – Explorer Program (0730-1800)

• Annual call volume exceeds 1,600 calls for service

• State of the art equipment including:

  • LUCAS 3 Chest Compression System

  • Stryker Power-LOAD Stretchers

  • Blood glucose monitoring

  • SpO2 monitoring

  • CPAP application

  • Naloxone (NARCAN®) administration

  • Electronic patient care reporting system

  • ZOLL X-Series Cardiac Monitors

• Volunteer incentive and retirement programs