Longtime Easton Volunteer EMS Chief Marge Smith was honored with a citation from state Sen. John McKinney, R-28th District, left, and state Rep. John Shaban, R-135th District, on behalf of the Connecticut General Assembly.

Smith had been a member of Easton EMS since 1979. The EMS recently held a retirement dinner to celebrate her years of service to the community.

Facing declining membership and volunteer hours, Easton EMS has been unable to attract enough new volunteers to cover all its shifts. The EMS cites a changing culture within town that has made it difficult to recruit a new generation of volunteers that will keep the organization afloat.

The EMS has about 40 members, 15 of whom are considered active members who volunteer at least one day per week, according to EMS Chief Carolyn Kearney.

Five years ago, the EMS had the same number of members, but most of them were active, she said.

“With the way the economy is,” she said, “people are working two jobs and they can’t devote six to 12 hours a week volunteering.”

Read full article: Easton Courier

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