Senior Citizens Police Academy Educates, Alleviates Fear

Senior citizen residents of Quincy now have an opportunity to expand their knowledge of Emergency Medical Services, thanks to Fallon Ambulance and the Quincy Police. The classes provided by Fallon Ambulance are part of the Senior Citizens Police Academy program, which is sponsored by the Quincy Police Department and includes classes taught by the Quincy Police and Fire Departments, and the Office of the District Attorney. The program, which runs from September to June, is managed by Sgt. Danny Minton.

Fallon's classes provide senior citizens with a complete overview of EMS, explaining not only who Fallon Ambulance is as a company and a member of the community, but also offering practical insight into what residents should expect from us if they ever need to call 9-1-1. In this way, the program is designed to reduce fears and raise citizens' comfort level with ambulance services. The two and a half to three hour class delves into a variety of common scenarios, takes citizens through a day in the life of a paramedic, offers basic advice on methods for improving medical status, and provides a "show and tell" explanation of the equipment used by EMS personnel (with an ambulance at the class site.) Blood pressure checks are also provided to the community.

The classes are taught by Fallon paramedic and emergency medical services director, Steve Wallace, and Fallon EMT, Sandy Arabian. Both instructors are Quincy residents, which according to Arabian, "means we have an additional stake in helping our senior citizens and giving back to our community."

Fallon Ambulance Service was founded in 1923 by James R. Fallon, Sr., and has remained a family operated business to this day. The founder’s son, James R. (Ray) Fallon, Jr., and five of his children have all played an integral role in the company’s operation and growth. Fallon Ambulance employs more than 400 personnel, and operates 115 vehicles. The company provides 9-1-1 service to Milton, Quincy, Brookline, Weymouth, Braintree and Dedham as well as primary backup to Boston and Randolph. Fallon Ambulance Service also provides medical transportation for a number of nursing homes, hospitals, and HMOs throughout Greater Boston. Headquarters are at 111 Brook Road, Quincy, MA 02169, and Fallon Ambulance operates satellite offices in Weymouth, Allston and Quincy, MA. A new state-of-the-art headquarters is slated for opening in Quincy in the Fall, 2004. Fallon Ambulance Service is a several-time recipient of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce’s “Success Profile,” and the “local heroes” award by the South Shore Community Action Council. For additional information about Fallon Ambulance services or programs that the company offers, contact Peter Racicot, Senior Vice President of Business Development, at (617) 745-2100, ext. 117 or visit www.fallonambulance.com.