Retiring Chief Jon Barbagallo steps aside for Marc Tonan

By Lloyd Garrison

Norfolk Ambulance Chief Jon Barbagallo, who is credited with reversing an alarming decline in volunteers, is stepping down. Mark Tonan, a veteran Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), has been elected to take his place.

Barbagallo took over as chief with Matt Funchion as his deputy more than 10 years ago. Membership had dwindled to the point that the town had to hire some EMTs to keep shifts at full strength. Today, an all-volunteer corps of 45 technicians, many with advanced skills, ensures that each three-person shift is fully staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at no cost to the town.

Barbagallo and Funchion also helped pave the way for a proposed new emergency service building to house both the ambulance and the office of the resident state trooper. A special town meeting is likely to be called later this summer to vote on funding the building.

Towns capable of maintaining ambulance services with no outside hires are becoming increasingly rare across the state. Of the 43 ambulance services in Region V in the northwest corner, Norfolk Ambulance is one of only nine that are still 100 percent volunteer. Norfolk’s service is funded in large part by the Lions and donations in response to an annual appeal. Volunteers also receive an annual $1,000 reduction in their taxes.

“Thanks to Jon Barbagallo,” says EMS Deputy Chief Chris Little, “it has been eight years now since we’ve had to hire anyone to fill a shift.”

Marc Tonan, who runs Marc A. Tonan Landscape Design, started as an ambulance driver 25 years ago. He was elected captain in 1997, and is widely regarded among his colleagues for his calm under pressure. “In the most critical emergencies,” says Little, “everybody breathes easier when Tonan shows up.”

Photo of Marc Tonan, top, by Lloyd Garrison.