In a small town, you call a neighbor when you need help. At Lyme EMS, we are those neighbors: trained, licensed, and ready to respond. We’re looking for more people like you.
Most of our volunteers started with no medical experience, just a desire to help.
Pre-apply with our online application or complete our full Printable Application, and we will get in touch!
Let’s talk! We’ll answer your questions and help you explore ways to get involved.
Contact Ariana Eaton, Deputy Chief & Recruitment Officer → EMAIL
Why Do You Volunteer?
→ Know what to do in an emergency
→ Learn lifesaving skills, skills you’ll carry for life
→ Serve your community when it needs you most
→ Be part of a supportive, welcoming team
→ Deep community connection
"What I love most about Lyme EMS is that we're neighbors taking care of neighbors. The respect we have for our community—and for each other—shows in everything we do. I'm grateful to be part of this team." - EMR, Geoff Liggett
When someone calls in an emergency, they’re often being helped by someone they know — a neighbor who stepped up to serve our community.
Most of our volunteers started with no medical experience, just the desire to help. We provide the training, guidance, and support you need to become a nationally certified EMT or EMR while gaining lifelong skills and the pride of making a real difference when it matters most.
"Volunteering with Lyme EMS is the most rewarding thing I have ever experienced" - Chief Steve Olstein
Responders are required to take one shift per week, some take more.
Shifts are 12 hours: 6 PM – 6 AM or 6 AM – 6 PM
Saturday nights rotate every 5-7 weeks
Respond from home as long as you're in Lyme.
Monthly meeting & training: second Monday, 6-9 PM (with light supper)
Monthly Scenario Training
EMT/EMR certification renewal: required every 2 years, not burdensome and we cover the cost
About a 1 in 3 chance of receiving a call
Many shifts have no calls
A typical call lasts about 2 hours from dispatch to returning home
The majority of our calls are medical issues: falls, elderly care, breathing issues, illness, etc. Serious trauma calls are infrequent.
22% Falls
18% Sick individuals
7% Traffic accidents
7% Breathing problems
The remaining 46% of our calls span everything from cardiac events to allergic reactions
EMTs provide Basic Life Support (BLS). If a patient needs more, paramedics Advanced Life Support (ALS) or Life Star can be requested. Dispatch automatically sends paramedics for higher-acuity calls.
Training and practice build confidence. Many volunteers joined with the same apprehension and now feel prepared and calm on calls.
Most volunteers are everyday people of average strength (can lift 50lbs). For difficult lifts, additional EMS or Fire personnel can be dispatched to assist.
You will have help!
Most responders drive and provide care.
Drivers must be:
✔ 21 or older
✔ Have a good driving record
✔ Pass our in-house driver training (classroom + road)
No. Familiarity helps the flow, but you have GPS. Experience on calls quickly builds local knowledge.
No. After certification, you'll enter our in-house training program and respond as a Trainee with an experienced EMT. You will be assigned a mentor who works with you until you're confident and approved for independent care. Even then, we always respond with a 2-person crew.
To keep our community-based, neighbor-helping-neighbor model strong. Without enough volunteers the town has to hire a costly full-time ambulance service costing hundreds of thousands per year.
Contact Ariana Eaton, Deputy Chief & Recruitment Officer → EMAIL