What’s going on in your part of Greenwich

and then you have the hospital. But the first thing is you need that bystander to react. It’s important for us to train as many people as possible in CPR. That dramatically improves the prospects for a positive outcome” in emergencies.

GEMS Explorer Jack Childs said restaurant-goers came up throughout the day and asked questions about health, CPR and what to do in an emergency.

“The earlier CPR is done and the more people who know how to do it immediately, there’s a better chance for survival,” GEMS Explorer Connor Fay said.

They also distributed “files of life,” where a resident can record their medical history and medications. The file can be kept in a convenient location, such as on a refrigerator, so it can be found easily when GEMS responds to an emergency.

The event was just as important in raising public awareness as it was for raising money, Baldock said.

“This is a tremendous event for us,” Baldock said. “It’s visible to everyone who drives by. It’s very busy and everyone sees the balloons and the ambulance. It says GEMS needs to raise money and that’s a very important message.”

GEMS is not a town department like the police and fire departments. It’s an independent nonprofit group that has a contract with the town to provide services. It pays for the ambulances as well as the medicine and equipment on board. The gala will take place at L’Escale, with a red carpet and cocktail party beforehand at Betteridge Jewelers.

To mark the fifth year, an Epic Anniversary Party Concert will be held June 1 at the Capitol Theater in Port Chester, featuring a performance by Kesha. Actress Connie Nielsen, of “Gladiator” and “Wonder Woman” fame, will give out the festival’s awards.

To buy tickets and for a full list of the films, panels and events, visit www.greenwichfilm.org.