Greenwich Emergency Medical Service (GEMS) has answered more than 200,000 emergency calls since its founding in 1986, a milestone highlighted during a flag-raising ceremony at Town Hall on Wednesday, July 15.

The event drew town officials, state legislators, GEMS crew members, and residents to mark four decades of round-the-clock pre-hospital care in Greenwich. First Selectman Fred Camillo presented an official proclamation designating July 15 as Greenwich EMS 40th Anniversary Day.

"For 40 years, GEMS has set the standard for what an ambulance corps can do," Camillo said at the ceremony. "Their response times and cardiac save rates are the envy of the country, and everyone in this remarkable organization deserves our gratitude."

State Reps. Tina Courpas and Hector Arzeno delivered a Connecticut legislative citation on behalf of Greenwich's state delegation, recognizing GEMS's contributions to the health of Greenwich residents. The GEMS Honor Guard then raised the organization's flag above Town Hall.

Board Chair Rod Saggese told attendees the anniversary honors the thousands of volunteers, EMTs, paramedics, staff, and supporters who built the organization over four decades. He said GEMS is focused on serving Greenwich for the next 40 years.

The numbers back up the praise. GEMS reports cardiac survival rates double the national average. In 2023, the agency answered 6,517 calls, with 96 percent of responses arriving in under eight minutes and 74 percent in under five minutes.

GEMS is Greenwich's sole provider of pre-hospital emergency care and operates as an independent nonprofit. All capital equipment, including ambulances and medical technology, is funded entirely through charitable contributions, according to the organization.

Founded by Charlee Tufts, who led the agency as executive director until her retirement in 2017, GEMS says it became the first ambulance service in New England to deploy 12-lead EKG capability in the field in 1995. The agency earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services in 2021 and reaccreditation in 2024, making it one of two services in Connecticut to hold the credential at the time of reaccreditation. In October 2024, GEMS was named Career EMS Agency of the Year at the Connecticut EMS Awards.

Tracy Schietinger now serves as executive director. Each year, GEMS trains more than 3,000 Greenwich residents in CPR, AED use, and first aid.