His 19-year-old son, Nick Chiapperini, was on the job in the Monroe Ambulance Company dispatch center when the call for help came in, according to West Webster Fire Department spokesman Al Sienkiewicz.

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"This change in method has led to an initial increase in calls to the ambulance service, " the company said.

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The ambulance came from Hertfordshire and was a Thames Ambulance Service vehicle operated by a private company from Canvey Island, Essex.

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