Jacqueline Rice is Chief of Service of the Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance based in Salisbury, CT. She first took the EMT class in college in 1978, and after that, she joined the Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Service.
“My neighbors, Michael and David Brenner were on the ambulance squad already and they encouraged me to join,” she says. “My parents were big volunteers in town, so they encouraged me too.”
Jacqueline says she has many memorable moments, but one of them is saving a man who fell through the ice on Long Pond while fishing. “I went into the pond with a cold water rescue suit and the firemen pulled us both to safety. He lived even though he had been in the water for a long time, and he came back to thank us. It was a great moment for me.”
Another memorable moment was saving a man in town who ran the local coffee shop. “He experienced cardiac arrest and by doing CPR, we saved him. He lived many years after and thanked me every time I saw him.”
Jacqueline says that being a part of the ambulance service has made her “realize that life can be fragile and short. We are one big family and teamwork is essential.” The most rewarding part of her work is being able to give back to the community that helped raise her. “Neighbors helping neighbors. We help when they are in need the most.” Although it’s a 24/7 job, Jacqueline says that the reward of giving back is what encourages her to continue doing it.
Outside of her work with the ambulance service, Jacqueline is also a Health and Physical Education teacher at Housatonic Valley Regional High School, is a member of the Lakeville Hose Company as a firefighter, serves on the Salisbury Central Board of Education, and is the Emergency Management Director for the Town of Salisbury.
To learn more about the Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Service or if you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, give them a call at (860) 435-0058 or send them an email to salisburyambulance1971@gmail.com.
Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Service
8 Under Mountain Rd, Salisbury, CT 06068