Behind the Sirens: Greenwich EMT Gives Seaside Freshmen a Window into Emergency Medicine
Will Stern, Noah Schacher, and Ben Klemperer
GREENWICH - This week, Seaside Society students continued making an impact. Seaside students were visited by Kara Schiff, a member of Greenwich Emergency Medical Service (GEMS), who spoke about the GEMS Explorer Post 911 program and the vital role Greenwich EMS plays in our community.
GEMS, a nonprofit organization founded in 1986, serves as the sole provider of emergency medical services to the town of Greenwich. Operating out of four stations across the town, GEMS has earned a reputation for excellence. Kara told Seaside freshmen that GEMS maintains response times consistently under five minutes and has achieved a cardiac arrest save rate twice the national average. In 2021 and 2024, GEMS received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services, placing it among only two Connecticut services with this distinction. Schiff also spoke candidly about the emotional weight of the job, reflecting on the difficulty of losing someone in the field and the toll it takes on first responders. On a lighter note, she shared that in her 40 years of service, she has delivered 36 babies.
Schiff explained how the Explorer Post 911 program offers high school students, aged 14 to 18, a hands-on pathway into emergency medical services. The program trains young people to become certified Emergency Medical Technicians. Once certified, Explorer Post members can participate in ride-alongs on actual ambulances and assist professional responders during real emergencies. Members work alongside paramedics and EMTs, gaining exposure to the full spectrum of pre-hospital care. In addition to ride-alongs, Explorer Post members represent Greenwich EMS at health fairs and public safety events, helping to promote community awareness of emergency preparedness. Several Seaside freshmen expressed interest in joining the program.
However, several Seaside members also remarked on the difficulty of being an EMT. Jacob Weinberg praised the heroism of first responders, saying, “I don’t think I could do it. It seems very traumatic, and I don’t do well with blood.” Weinberg's candor reflected a broader conversation among the freshmen about what it truly means to serve in high-pressure, life-or-death situations. Another Seaside member, Kayla Glass, said, “This program seems like a great opportunity to gain hands-on medical experience while giving back to my community.” For students like Glass who are considering careers in medicine or healthcare, the Explorer Post provides an early opportunity to test their interest against the realities of the field.
Seaside Society thanks Kara Schiff and Greenwich EMS for taking the time to speak with our freshmen. Students interested in learning more about the Explorer Post 911 program can visit gemsexplorerpost911.org.
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By the Seaside Podcast:
Hosted by Seaside Leader Edan Citron
EP. 1 Pikuach Nefesh - The Lifesaving work of an EMT featuring Kara Schiff:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4unV9F5ZCAd6ZPIS31K0MT?si=jBC1G56GQR2TWBQqWgZVGg
Photo by: Joanna Shumaker