Ariana Eaton

The ‘Heart’ of Service

In 2016 Ariana read that Lyme Ambulance needed volunteers. She was moved to help since ambulance volunteers had once come to the aid of her (then) infant daughter. 

Since she’d driven everything from a Farmall tractor to a Ferrari, Ariana signed on as an Ambulance Driver. She earned certification as an EMR in 2017 and subsequently was appointed Deputy Chief. Ariana is busy juggling crew schedules, recruitment, EMS coverage for town events like the Tour de Lyme — and more. And that’s in addition to serving as a member of the Lyme Ambulance Board of Directors and her role as the Special Needs Coordinator with the town’s Department of Emergency Management. Not to mention her ‘day job’ — coordinating care for seniors.

An interview with Ariana

Q. What surprised you most when you joined Lyme Ambulance?

A. The sense that I was joining a ‘family’… a family of amazing volunteers! Seriously, these are dedicated people — willing to study and train so they can provide lifesaving care to the Lyme community. Sometimes that means having to respond in the middle of the night, or leaving the holiday dinner table. But they do it. Because they care deeply.

Q. What do you do on the Lyme Ambulance Board of Directors?

A. Like all Board members, I help set policy, review budgets, and plan for future needs. In addition, I head the committees on Community Education and Publicity.

Q. What about your ‘day job’? What does that involve?

A. Following a 25 year career in advertising, I switched to ‘a labor of love’. In essence, I’m now a Care Coordinator for seniors. That involves arranging for home care, communicating with my patients’ medical providers, and advocating for them within the very complex health care system.

Q.  What do you feel passionately about… other than Lyme Ambulance?

A. My family, of course. I have a daughter and a step-granddaughter, both of whom I adore! And I love dogs and nature, particularly the extraordinary salt and fresh water opportunities that abound in this area.

In terms of issues, I am most interested in strengthening systems within our community that support geriatric needs and provide mental health resources. I’m a social worker at heart.

Q. What do you do in your leisure time? Do you HAVE any leisure time?

A. Hah! I’ve recently taken up watercolors and I love exploring local history. My daughter and I moved here in 2003 but our family has been in Lyme and Hadlyme since the 1600’s.