Question: What is a volunteer? Top
Someone who donates his or her time, effort, and talents.
1. Perinton has over 170 volunteers - no paid people.
2. Active: Serve on the ambulance crews, approximately 160 individuals.
3. Associate: Perform other necessary tasks and SEQ members.

Question: How do I join? Top
We always need more members, Click here for an application.

Question: How many people are on a crew? Top
It takes (3) people to effectively run an ambulance.
1. A Dispatcher answers the EMS calls and stays at the base.
2. A Medic who cares for the patient and provides treatment.
3. A Driver who drives the ambulance to the scene and to and from the hospital.

Question: How long does it take to get qualified in a position? Top
Various hours for each position.
1. Dispatcher: Several weeks to a few months as an active duty in-service trainee working with a qualified trainer.
2. Medic: Approximately 130 classroom hours to become an EMT. Then riding and obtaining experience and training with a trainer, usually 2-6 months to be cleared as a first medic/prime duty medic.
3. Driver: Must be a qualified prime medic for (1) year. It will take approximately 2-6 months of training to be a qualified driver.

Question: Do you sleep at the base? Top
Yes, every night our crews will sleep in fully furnished bedrooms. There are six beds in five bedrooms.
- The dispatcher also has his/her own room.
- The SEQ - ALS technician will also utilize a bedroom.

Question: What is the SEQ? Top
The SEQ MCCU or South East Quadrant Mobile Critical Care Unit is the ALS or advanced life support organization that serves the four towns of the SEQ - Pittsford, Perinton, East Rochester and Penfield.
- All members are required to have advance training - either a NYS Paramedic or Critical Care Certification.
- Perinton is the home site for the Medic 32 & 36 vehicles. Pittsford Ambulance has gear for medic 39, Penfield has Medic 35 and East Rochester has Medic 34 and Perinton has gear for Medic 38.
- Check out the SEQ MCCU website at:  www.seqmccu.org

Question: Do people with children volunteer for PVAC? Top
We also have a playroom with television and VCR dedicated for the children's use when their parents are busy on the ambulance. See the Playroom.

Question: How do you get an ambulance for an emergency?Top
Begin with calling 9-1-1.
» If your hometown does not have a 911 system, dial "0" for the operator and they will be able to help you.
- When you call 911, the telecommunicator will take your information such as address, age of patient, and what is wrong with the patient.
- While you are speaking with the telecommunicator, they will send the information to the 911 dispatcher and they will dispatch the appropriate agency (see our dispatch office) to your location.
- Depending on the severity of the call, to help the ambulance crew, a sheriff's department deputy, the fire department and other medical personnel may arrive on the scene.
» Make sure you turn on your porch light!
» Also make sure that your street number is visible on your house and mailbox
- it is recommended that the number is at least 7" tall.

Question: Do you have crutches and wheelchairs? Top
YES. Besides crutches and wheelchairs, we also have walkers, commodes, bath seats, and canes at no charge to Town of Perinton Residents.

Question: Does Perinton Ambulance charge for its services?Top
There are no fees involved for BLS service or transport provided by PVAC. If a Perinton crew/rig is not available, we attempt to mutual aid the request to one of the other three coorperating volunteer Corps. If they can’t help, one of the commercial agencies is asked to respond to the call. In this last case, there is a charge that is normally covered in part or in full by medical insurance. If Advanced Life Support is required and our volunteer ALS Unit is not available, a commercial agency will be sent to the scene. If a commercial Paramedic treats the patient there is a charge, even if PVAC provides the transport. Normally this fee is covered, at least partly, by most medical insurances. Because of a glitch in the Medicare laws, there is a problem of reimbursement if a commercial Paramedic provides care but does not provide the transport to the hospital. Everyone involved with the medical transport field has been trying to get this problem resolved for years. Hopefully the federal government will address this gap in coverage. In the meantime, it is possible you will receive a bill from PVAC, which is actually on behalf of the commercial agency.



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