Local Heroes - The Fire and Rescue Squad
The History of Fire and Rescue
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In 1969 a Saint Michael’s College student died on an athletic field. Several members of the college community believed that his death might have been prevented by prompt emergency service.
With the assistance of Donald Sutton, a former dean and security director of the College, they began what has evolved into Saint Michael’s Rescue Squad. It was one of the first student-run volunteer ambulance services in New England. |
Operating with minimal equipment and the college security van, these volunteers began protecting the campus community. Within a few months they expanded to cover 385 square miles of Chittenden County, including the towns of Winooski, Hinesburg, Williston, St. George, part of Colchester, and 26 miles of Interstate 89.
While members sought to develop and expand their skills in first aid, they also began fundraising to better equip themselves to serve the community. In 1970 the squad recieved its first ambulance when a student’s parents donated a Cadillac-type ambulance.
In 1972, seventeen members of the squad completed one of Vermont’s first Emergency Medical Technician courses. Then in 1973, with a new GMC modular ambulance, Saint Michael’s Rescue initiated a high-risk infant transport system for premature or seriously ill newborn infants. This program, which continues today, provides emergency transport for infants from outlying hospitals in Vermont and New York to Fletcher Allen Health Care (formerly MCHV) in Burlington.
In 1976, community members of Hinesburg, Williston, and St. George joined Saint Michael’s Rescue. Iroquois First Response provided prompt emergency medical care to the residents of these towns prior to the arrival of the ambulance. On July 1, 2000, Iroquois First Response split into Williston Rescue which services the town of Williston, and Hinesburg Fire Department First Response which services the towns of Hinesburg and St. George.
