Vermont Emergency Medical Services
District #3 WebPage
St. Michael's College Rescue
(The following information was submitted by Colin Shea on March 29, 2000)
Service Description: In 1969 a Saint Michael's College student died on an athletic field. Several members of the college community thought 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 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 from outlying hospitals in Vermont and New York to Fletcher Allen Health Care (formerly MCHV). Currently, primary care is provided with a 1993 Road Rescue ambulance equipped with oxygen; intravenous supplies; medications to handle acute diabetic emergencies, poisonings, and allergic reactions; bandages and splinting supplies for trauma; and a semi-automatic defibrillator for patients in cardiac arrest. The second ambulance, a 1995 Stratus, is specially equipped like the primary ambulance with a hydraulic lift to handle the heavy equipment needed for neonatal transports.
In 1976 community members of Hinesburg, Williston, and St. George joined Saint Michael's Rescue. As Iroquois First Response they provide prompt emergency medical care to the residents of these towns prior to the arrival of the ambulance.
To report an emergency dial 911.
To contact St. Michael's Rescue regarding non-emergency questions or to request information on membership call their non-emergency phone number at: (802) 654-2565
Contact: Peter Soons (Chief)
Internet address: http://www.smcvt.edu/fire_rescue/
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Webpage maintained by Greg Thweatt
gthweatt@shelburne.k12.vt.us
Last updated: April 01, 2000