JOIN OUR FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL!

Since 1956, the Wethersfield Volunteer Ambulance Association (now Wethersfield Emergency Medical Services Association, WEMSA) has loyally served Wethersfield's sick and injured. WEMSA provides free standby ambulance coverage at community events and football games and we participate in a mutual aid EMS system with neighboring communities.

We also offer first-aid, CPR, and babysitting training. Our reliable, professional, life-saving medical care is just a phone call away. As a non-profit, local ambulance service, we are the crucial first responders to every 911 medical call.

However, we now face our greatest challenge. We provide 24/7/365 EMS services with Aetna Ambulance as our paramedic and backup provider. We recently added a third ambulance. Our goal is to add paramedics to our ambulances.

Once WEMSA began to cover more calls and moved to expand and improve our EMS services, Aetna now wants to be paid $500,000.00 by WEMSA to allow us to remain in existence because Aetna is handling fewer calls. With the assistance of Aetna, the Town then filed a Petition with the Department of Public Health (DPH) to replace WEMSA with Aetna/Hartford Healthcare, a for-profit corporation. The Town did so without warning or public review.

WEMSA is exclusive to Wethersfield. Aetna is not. Their coverage area includes Rocky Hill, the south end of Hartford, and extends into parts of Tolland, Windham, and Middlesex counties.

WEMSA handles only 911 emergency calls. Aetna does not. They also handle non-emergency and skilled nursing facility transfers throughout the region, which takes ambulances out of service for true emergencies.

We need your help to continue providing local, exclusive emergency medical care. Our legal expenses fighting this Petition are rapidly climbing, threatening our very existence. It is like David fighting Goliath, the largest healthcare network in Connecticut.

Unlike most towns, WEMSA receives no subsidies from Wethersfield. We buy all of our ambulances, medical equipment, and supplies, and even pay rent and utilities to the Town. Your support directly contributes to the safety and well-being of our community. Together, we can continue our mission. Contact Wethersfield Town officials to withdraw their Petition and negotiate with WEMSA.

Please donate (in any amount) to help us cover our rapidly rising legal and operational costs. As always, we thank you for your unwavering support.

It is our honor to serve you.

https://www.wethersfieldems.com/