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Frank Ettaro says he’s going to miss being involved, caring for the community — and especially the people he worked with.
Since 1995, Ettaro has been a volunteer paramedic, assistant chief paramedic, and Chief Paramedic for Webster’s Northeast Quadrant Advanced Life Support (NEQ). He currently sits on the district’s board of directors.
But, at the end of this month, Ettaro will be starting a new chapter in his life.
He’s retiring and moving with his wife to Florida.
Many have been “victimized,” over the years, by Ettaro’s “rapier wit,” said friend and colleague Syed Ahmed Mustafa, vice president of NEQ’s Board of Directors, with a smile. He recalled, however, the time Ettaro got a call at K-Mart and headed to Wal-Mart instead, and another time that he rescued a flock of ducklings.
Seriously, Mustafa added, “Not much has happened at NEQ the last 10 years without Frank Ettaro’s stamp on it ... It’s kind of hard to think of NEQ without Frank there ... We would not be where we are today without him.”
Organizations in Webster and Irondequoit feel the same about Ettaro, who says that he never gave much thought to being an emergency responder.
That is, until he was at Irondequoit’s Culver-Ridge Plaza more than 30 years ago and came across a booth about an ambulance service that was getting off the ground.
He signed up, becoming a charter member of what was then called Irondequoit Volunteer Ambulance, and started a longtime volunteer “career” as an emergency responder.
“All the jobs I’ve had can’t compare to my love of emergency services,” Ettaro said. “It’s a different feeling, helping people.”
Ettaro ended up serving 25 years with Irondequoit Ambulance. In 1991, he also joined the West Webster Fire Department and served there for 10 years as a firefighter and emergency medical technician.
In 1994, Ettaro joined NEQ ALS as a student. He earned his Paramedic certification in 1995.
He was saluted for his dedication and many years of service at a “going away” party and roast last Wednesday, Dec. 14, at Hedges restaurant in Webster. “They’re the most amazing people ... the way they give of themselves — and now they’re all family.”
John DiGiovanni of Irondequoit Ambulance said Ettaro was “a major player” in writing the original by-laws for the organization, and over the years served as director of operations and on the board of directors.
Frank Ettaro says he’s going to miss being involved, caring for the community — and especially the people he worked with.
Since 1995, Ettaro has been a volunteer paramedic, assistant chief paramedic, and Chief Paramedic for Webster’s Northeast Quadrant Advanced Life Support (NEQ). He currently sits on the district’s board of directors.
But, at the end of this month, Ettaro will be starting a new chapter in his life.
He’s retiring and moving with his wife to Florida.
Many have been “victimized,” over the years, by Ettaro’s “rapier wit,” said friend and colleague Syed Ahmed Mustafa, vice president of NEQ’s Board of Directors, with a smile. He recalled, however, the time Ettaro got a call at K-Mart and headed to Wal-Mart instead, and another time that he rescued a flock of ducklings.
Seriously, Mustafa added, “Not much has happened at NEQ the last 10 years without Frank Ettaro’s stamp on it ... It’s kind of hard to think of NEQ without Frank there ... We would not be where we are today without him.”
Organizations in Webster and Irondequoit feel the same about Ettaro, who says that he never gave much thought to being an emergency responder.
That is, until he was at Irondequoit’s Culver-Ridge Plaza more than 30 years ago and came across a booth about an ambulance service that was getting off the ground.
He signed up, becoming a charter member of what was then called Irondequoit Volunteer Ambulance, and started a longtime volunteer “career” as an emergency responder.
“All the jobs I’ve had can’t compare to my love of emergency services,” Ettaro said. “It’s a different feeling, helping people.”
Ettaro ended up serving 25 years with Irondequoit Ambulance. In 1991, he also joined the West Webster Fire Department and served there for 10 years as a firefighter and emergency medical technician.
In 1994, Ettaro joined NEQ ALS as a student. He earned his Paramedic certification in 1995.
He was saluted for his dedication and many years of service at a “going away” party and roast last Wednesday, Dec. 14, at Hedges restaurant in Webster. “They’re the most amazing people ... the way they give of themselves — and now they’re all family.”
John DiGiovanni of Irondequoit Ambulance said Ettaro was “a major player” in writing the original by-laws for the organization, and over the years served as director of operations and on the board of directors.
“I think that at one point, he was our only volunteer paramedic,” said Mary Ellen Jones of Irondequoit Ambulance. “Plus, he was always an advocate for the volunteer ... even when we went to a paid staff.”
Noting that he has known Ettaro for 30 years, DiGiovanni said that when he thinks of his friend, he sees “The grin.”
Ettaro was presented with several proclamations and appreciation plaques, including one from Webster Supervisor Ron Nesbitt and another from state Assemblyman Mark Johns, at last week’s dinner.
“I was bitten by the volunteer bug, but I would not change a thing,” Ettaro said. “I ate, lived and breathed EMS ... It has been an amazing adventure.”
