Our town’s residents have the peace of mind of knowing that Darien EMS-Post 53 is here for our community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This unique organization, recently honored with the 2021 National EMS Award of Excellence, delivers high-quality emergency service, while providing nearly 100 high school students annually with the opportunity to serve their community and become state-licensed Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT)s. Post 53 handles approximately 1,600 emergency calls per year and conducts a robust training program that provides their volunteers with the most current medical skills and training.
Now through a $20,500 grant and in partnership with The Darien Foundation, Post 53 will be able to install and configure a new network infrastructure, as well as integrated computer hardware and software that will allow these vital workers to educate, communicate, and manage the organization even more efficiently.
As part of the grant review process, the Board of The Darien Foundation designated a task force helmed by Technology Chair Sean Calvillo—who is also a member of Darien’s IT Steering Committee and father to “Postie” Lucy—to partner with Post 53 on the project. Together with Board Member Larry Castellani (also Captain of the Darien Fire Department) and Board Member Eric Gaaserud (father to two Posties and husband to Adult Supervisor Millyn), the team jumped in to assess the organization’s needs.
Calvillo said “This was an in-depth process, where our committee engaged in an advisory period to understand Post 53’s needs before identifying the optimal technology solutions. Once we heard from Post 53 management and volunteers, we were able to help them prioritize, form a plan, and ultimately present a multiphase road map.”
Said Post 53 Director Joe Larcheveque, “The new technology is a gamechanger for us. We are so fortunate to have these new systems in place that are providing us with better tools with which to train our students and run our programs more efficiently, while handling our town’s emergencies.” Added Millyn Gaaserud who has been integral to the project, “We are already seeing such a huge difference in our day-to-day operations."
Calvillo and his team facilitated the installation of a full network infrastructure, as well as a new flat screen television for the training room, which will enable Supervisors to better illustrate and execute training scenarios. In addition, The Darien Foundation committee also made process recommendations that will help in Post 53’s fundraising efforts, as well as their internal communications and back-office workings.
Concluded Calvillo, “Knowing that we are enabling the critical and inspiring volunteers at Post 53 to work more efficiently has been incredibly rewarding.”
About The Darien Foundation
The Darien Foundation is an independent, community-based, 501(c) (3) public charity. Since 1998, The Darien Foundation has awarded over $5 million in grants for technology and capital initiatives, which create opportunity for Darien’s youth, support our town’s safety and security services, and enhance the overall quality of life in Darien. Our volunteer Board of Directors—who reflect the many constituencies of Darien—thoroughly evaluates grant requests and assists grant recipients in achieving their goals. Public donations are directed to supporting grants awarded by The Darien Foundation, as all operating costs have been funded by Board member and officer contributions. Most recently, The Darien Foundation has awarded grants to Abilis, Corbin Cares, Darien Arts Center, DAF Media, the Darien Public Schools, The Depot Youth Center, Person-to-Person, and STAR Inc.