Westport’s own Dan Woog brings his popular blog “06880: Where Westport Meets the World” to life, via the Verso Studios at The Westport Library – recorded LIVE in the Trefz Forum! His guest this week is Marc Hartog, deputy director of Westport’s Emergency Medical Services. Born and raised in New York City, Hartog has been involved in EMS for 45 years. After graduating from Columbia University, where he was one of the founding members of Columbia Area Volunteer Ambulance (now Columbia University EMS), Hartog spent 20 years working in New York City’s Times Square and Hells Kitchen areas as a 911 Paramedic, and as administrative director of Emergency Services, running the Paramedic Service and Emergency Room for a midtown Manhattan hospital. Hartog moved to Westport in 1990 and continued his New York commute until joining Westport EMS, where he now celebrates his 25 year anniversary. He has held the position of Deputy Director of Westport EMS for the last 15 years. Fairly unique in Connecticut, Westport EMS is a civilian division of the Westport Police Department, with the Deputy Chief of Police holding the title of Director of EMS. As Deputy Director of EMS, Marc is responsible for operations and policies, and oversees a staff of seven employees and close to 70 volunteers. These volunteers, all members of Westport Volunteer EMS, a separate 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, are vital in not only providing manpower on the ambulances, but also in fundraising to purchase all capital equipment and supplies, thereby providing incalculable savings to the town. Paid or volunteer, the staff of Westport EMS work side by side with the officers of the Westport Police Dept and the firefighters of the Westport Fire Dept to keep the citizens and visitors of Westport safe and healthy.
