Bristol EMS celebrates 75 years of saving lives

By Manny Correira
Posted 9/30/22

In 1947, a handful of Bristol’s finest firefighters got together and formed the Bristol Rescue Squad. Seventy-five years later, the team is going stronger than ever.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Register to post events


If you'd like to post an event to our calendar, you can create a free account by clicking here.

Note that free accounts do not have access to our subscriber-only content.

Day pass subscribers

Are you a day pass subscriber who needs to log in? Click here to continue.


Bristol EMS celebrates 75 years of saving lives

Posted

If only the original charter members were still alive to see what transpired last Friday night during the Bristol Fire Department Emergency Medical Services’ 75th anniversary banquet. They’d be smiling from ear-to-ear.

In 1947, a handful of Bristol’s finest firefighters got together and formed the Bristol Rescue Squad. Among them were Burt West, Luke White, Mike Flynn, Sal Palumbo, Ed Wilkinson, George “Pip” Dion, and Len Babbitt. This group was unique in every way and they dedicated their time in a definitive effort to help those whose medical services were immediately needed.

“Those guys paved the way for others who followed in their footsteps over the next 75 years,” noted Herculano “Okie” Falcoa, the oldest living former Bristol Rescue Squad captain at age 84. “I was so proud to be a part of all of this.”

A 60-year member of the Ever Ready Fire Station, Okie says things have really progressed to the point where the Bristol Fire Dept. Emergency Medical Services team is ranked among the best in the state. Fire Chief Michael A. DeMello totally agrees.

“They’re as dedicated as they come,” said DeMello proudly. “We’re very fortunate to have their professional services each and every day.”

Last Friday’s banquet was held under a tent at the rear of the Bristol Yacht Club, where EMS members and their guests enjoyed an evening filled with love, great food and merriment. The weather may have been a bit chilly and windy on this particular evening but everyone in attendance felt a certain warmth generated by these remarkable young men and women, who serve our fair town admirably under any and all circumstances.

Current EMS Captain Sam Turner reported that there are currently 125 active rescue squad members who respond to the challenge at a moment’s notice.

“They’re a great group of people,” he said. He also made two special award presentations, one to Sean Palumbo, who received the John Pelligrino Award, and Jake Amendola, who was presented the Anthony Barbarito Award.

Jake Amendola is an EMT who joined EMS while attending Roger Williams University. He received the Anthony Barbarito Memorial Award for most responses by an EMT. Sean Palumbo is a first responder emergency vehicle operator and is from Bristol, joining shortly after graduating high school. He received the John Pellegrino Memorial Award for most responses by a first responder.

A brief speaking program also included remarks by Bristol Town Administrator Steven Contente and Bristol Town Council Chairman Nathan Calouro.

Said Jennifer Oliveira Mancieri, who played a major role in helping set up this anniversary program, “All our hard work paid off. Bristol Rescue’s 75th Anniversary was a success. These dedicated men and women protect and serve our community every day, and after many years of COVID restrictions, they deserved a night to remember. God bless them all and cheers to the next 25.”

Mancieri, president of the BFD Ladies Auxiliary, is also an EMT and a life member of Rescue. She’s been a member of the department for 27 years.

2024 by East Bay Media Group

Barrington · Bristol · East Providence · Little Compton · Portsmouth · Tiverton · Warren · Westport
Meet our staff
Jim McGaw

A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.