Greenwich Emergency Medical Service has been answering 911 calls for four decades, and Wednesday, staff, volunteers and supporters gathered at Town Hall to mark the milestone.

First Selectman Fred Camillo proclaimed July 15 "Greenwich EMS 40th Anniversary Day," honoring an agency founded in 1986 by Charlee Tufts. The GEMS flag flew outside Town Hall through Friday, and State Rep. Tina Courpas added her own congratulations on social media, while Camillo highlighted the anniversary in his weekly newsletter as a milestone worth celebrating townwide.

GEMS operates around the clock, 365 days a year, as Greenwich's sole provider of pre-hospital emergency care. Beyond ambulance runs, the organization has grown into CPR and first aid education, community outreach, and public health preparedness — work that earned it accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services back in 2021, making it one of only two Connecticut agencies to hold that credential at the time.

Residents looking to get involved can head to the Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center on Sunday, July 19, for "Rescue Rush," a hands-on lifesaving skills event hosted by the GEMS Explorer Post — a chance for families to actually learn the skills GEMS crews use every day.

Rock Paper Soul, a band with deep Greenwich ties, performs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., donating their set in honor of GEMS' 40 years. Members Dana Gordon and Jaimie Hunter call Greenwich home, and drummer Rob Gallois brings a personal stake to the stage as an EMT with New Canaan EMS. "Playing for GEMS's 40th anniversary is a double win because I get to contribute to both of my teams at the same time," Gallois said. School of Rock Greenwich opens the show before the band takes over.

Details:

Sunday, July 19 — Rescue Rush, Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center. Live music 11 a.m.-2 p.m., with hands-on lifesaving activities hosted by the GEMS Explorer Post throughout.