Grant Nishanian, 34, is an 11-year veteran and lieutenant at the Larchmont Volunteer Ambulance Corps (LVAC). Here, he shares what a typical night for him and his crew is like.
When does the night shift start for volunteers?
Evening crews go from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and stay overnight in the building dormitories. We have a two-person minimum staff and max out at four. There’s always an EMT/driver and paramedic. The night shift rotates in a counter-clockwise fashion — that way, no one gets stuck with the same Friday-night shift.
What happens when someone calls 911? How does LVAC respond?
We are dispatched by the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services via a radio system that activates our in-house alert system. We also receive a text message of the call location. By the time a call is placed with 911, it’s only a few minutes before first responders arrive on the scene.
What kind of calls do you get at night?
At night, it’s mostly older people who fall out of bed while heading to the bathroom. Heart attacks, intoxicated parties, and auto accidents are other regular evening calls.
When do calls come in the most?
When the crew sits down to eat or is going to bed — it always seems to turn out that way.
What do night crews like to eat?
We cook a lot in-house, but when it’s 3 a.m. and we’re starving, we usually head to the 24/7 places, like the Nautilus Diner and the Mamaroneck Diner. Nicky’s, Leonardo’s, and New China are also decent stand-ins.
When you need to stay awake, what’s your preferred caffeine source?
LVAC has a K-cup machine, and Costco is our source.
Are you a night owl by nature?
No. But I do my duty when called. It’s a very rewarding job.
