Hometown Hero Dennis McMahon: Facing COVID as an EMT

Note from the Editor: This is the first in a series called "Wethersfield Heroes," where our students work to highlight and honor those in our community going above and beyond amidst the tumultuous year. If you know someone that you would like to nominate as a Wethersfield Hero, please contact Mr. Martin at [email protected]. ​

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By: Aaron Cholewa and Anthony Zabielski

The man walks into an abyss of screams and sirens. He has one goal: Get the job done. 

Today is one of the worst days. A child is involved. However the goal remains the same, help the people. 

This is the work of our local hero.

Dennis McMahon is the current chief of the Wethersfield Volunteer Ambulance Association (WVAA), where he has worked since 1984. Through his time there, he has been through many horrific situations. However, McMahon puts it perfectly when he says, “You gotta do what you gotta do to get the job done.” This quote shows his dedication to helping the public.

McMahon has described cardiac calls as some of the scariest possible calls to get. Combine that with children and you have the scariest possible situation for someone to deal with. Even McMahon, who has decades of experience says that it “makes your heart jump out of your throat,” yet he still continues to power through and help people.

McMahon also explained how scarce personal protection equipment was to get. McMahon said, “PPE was very difficult to get.” Everyone wanted the PPE, but luckily for Wethersfield, McMahon had the willingness to work tirelessly and drive far lengths to get his crew the equipment they needed.

When COVID hit hard in March, many people’s lives got hectic but Chief of Wethersfield Volunteer Ambulance Dennis McMahon said that, “People were scared to go to the hospital when they needed help.”  

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During COVID, McMahon described the fears of having to help patients while looking COVID in the eyes. There was simply no way for McMahon to avoid the prospect of getting the coronavirus. McMahon said that he assumes every single person in the ambulance has COVID because you can never be too safe.


McMahon vividly remembered a call he had in March 2020. He walked us through the typical activities of arriving to the call and going through his duties. He said that he had to help out with young adults involved in a car crash.


McMahon said that after the call, he became aware that one of the men involved in the accident that he helped tested positive for COVID-19. This was a game changer. This is what truly makes McMahon a hero. 


From then on, not only was he volunteering, he was putting himself in front of a deadly virus. McMahon didn’t care about the virus because he was able to do what he loved, helping people out.


But that’s not the only thing he loves.


While not working as an EMT, McMahon is an Attorney at his own Law Firm, Little League coach, and sponsor.  McMahon decided to become an EMT because he wanted to help and give back to his community.  McMahon provides support and coaching to young baseball players looking to have summer fun and even improve at the game.


He is willing to take long shifts and no pay as long as he can help.  McMahon does it out of love, because helping the community makes him who he is.
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Thank you, Dennis McMahon!