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History of Litchfield Volunteer Ambulance
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Litchfield Volunteer Ambulance was established in 1948 by Dr. John A. Kilgus under the title of Berkshire Hills Ambulance Association. Dr. Kilgus saw a need for an ambulance service in the Litchfield area and set out to make it a reality. Dr. Kilgus approached the Men’s Forum of Litchfield to assist him in raising the necessary funds for an ambulance through a mail campaign. He then met with the Lieutenant commanding Troop L. The Lieutenant felt it would be difficult for his troopers to do their duties and take on the additional responsibility of running an ambulance. Dr. Kilgus then met with the State Police Commander Edward Hickey. Commander Hickey thought this was very good idea and decided that the state police would house, maintain, and operate the ambulance. The Berkshire Hills would serve Litchfield, Morris, Goshen, and Bethlehem. The Men’s Forum constructed giant thermometer which was placed on the Litchfield green to track the progress of their fund drive. Dr. Kilgus worked with Commander Hickey to establish protocols with the CT State Police Troop L which were ratified on November 6, 1948. Dr. Kilgus hosted the first formal meeting of Berkshire Hills Ambulance Association on Dec. 1, 1948 and hosted the first board meeting on February 7, 1949. All contributors were made Charter Members of the Berkshire Hills Ambulance Association. The neutral name was agreed upon to stop the political banter about the title of ‘Litchfield Ambulance’ as many towns were being served. On April 26, 1949 the Connecticut State General Assembly passed a bill permitting Litchfield, Morris, Goshen, and Bethlehem to contribute funds annually to help defray the cost of running the ambulance. When the Lions Club came along, they agreed to take over the duties of staffing the ambulance from the state police. Eventually the staffing was taken over by Berkshire Hills Ambulance members themselves.
Currently Litchfield Ambulance serves the residents of Litchfield, East Litchfield, and Northfield along with providing mutual aid for communities surrounding the Litchfield area. We provide these communities with Basic Life Support (BLS), Paramedic intercept services through Campion, and dedicated volunteers who are well-trained and equipped with modern life saving equipment.
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