12 | GEMS
American cities, and was the very first in
Connecticut to be so esteemed.
THE FUTURE OF GEMS
Tufts says community outreach will con-
tinue to represent an important function
of GEMS, beyond its ongoing responding
to 9-1-1 emergencies, training initiatives
and the standby duties it fulfills at events
and civic gatherings. That outreach will
soon include increased emphasis on mes-
sages about the value of services provided
by GEMS. Yet to be sure, that messaging
has less to do with promotion, but more
in the way of attracting philanthropic sup-
port. As a not-for-profit, GEMS relies on
support from donors to complement what
it collects from patient revenues, training
fees and the appropriation it receives from
the town. Donor contributions are solely
used to support GEMS capital expenses,
and for an example of such costs, Tufts
explains that a typical ambulance can cost
more than $200,000. She also affirms that
GEMS’ Board of Directors fulfills a vital
fiduciary role to the service, particularly
in the area of capital fund raising. The
board consists of more than two dozen
