Rescue Inc. In The News

A real lifesaver
Rescue captain, paramedic honored by state
By JAIME CONE, Reformer Staff

Thursday, April 16

BRATTLEBORO -- A skilled paramedic, inspirational leader and dedicated friend, Capt. Drew Hazelton of Rescue Inc., was recognized as 2009's advanced life support provider of the year by the state of Vermont.

Hazelton, 30, of Putney began his career at Rescue Inc. eight years ago after deciding that a life in paramedics suited him better than firefighting.

"I began as a junior firefighter in Newfane when I was 16," he said. "I went to school for firefighting and decided that the paramedicine route was more up my ally."

Hazelton got his degree in paramedicine and has been with Rescue Inc. ever since.

He was promoted to captain of the technical rescue team in 2006. This means that Hazelton not only responds to calls, but also trains new EMTs and is responsible for communicating with other emergency response teams during a call.

Despite having to juggle multiple responsibilities, he is known for staying calm during stressful situations.

When Marc Fellows, retired deputy chief of the Putney Fire Department, had a severe heart attack last year, he said he wouldn't have wanted anyone else looking out for him.

He only remembers bits and pieces of what happened, but Fellows said Hazelton played a significant role in saving his life.

"He transferred me to Dartmouth that day," he said, "and from what I understand he had his hands pretty much full with me. I had a pretty major, significant heart attack that about only 15 percent of people survive."

Fellows has known Hazelton since he joined Rescue Inc.; the two of them had worked together on many occasions.

"Even though he knew me well, I knew he was going to make decisions based on what was best for me," Fellows said.

"Some people, (when they are treating) people they know, their head gets a little clouded," Fellows said. "I just knew he was going to be zoomed in 100 percent on me as a patient. It was like he didn't put a name to it, even though he had to have."

With the damage that was done to his heart, Fellows is unable to work full-time but is still involved with the fire department.

He said that when he went into a depressed state because of his situation, Hazelton showed his true colors as a loyal friend as well as a talented paramedic.

"He pushed me to keep my skills up," Fellows said. "He said, 'Just think, we saved your life but you've saved many more lives. You can do it.' He was very instrumental as a person in keeping me involved."

Hazelton's ability to relate to people has allowed him to be a highly effective leader in other areas as well, according to those who have worked with him during his time at Rescue Inc.

"He's an excellent trainer," said Ron Nichols, a volunteer EMT who has known Hazelton for nine years.

"He instills confidence," he added. "If you have a leader who is able to stay calm and think clearly, it carries through to the whole rescue team when working on a patient."

Being a leader during a rescue means coordinating with other emergency departments and first response teams, another aspect of the job in which his co-workers said Hazelton excels.

"Any time we are part of a technical rescue scene, he's already made connections with the other teams we work with," said Lew Teich, a volunteer EMT and technical rescue team member for 28 years.

"He's developed a good rapport with emergency services, so we're able to work out a plan and figure out a way for everyone to work together in the patient's best interest."

"Drew is a highly skilled paramedic," agreed RN John Starkey of Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. "He's easy to get along with and has a great sense of humor, but he is also highly competent under pressure."

"Our ER staff at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital highly respects his skill level, and very much appreciates his clarity in communication with us about a patient's condition," Starkey added.

Hazelton also puts in extra hours of training, especially this time of year when the rivers are running high.

Over the past two weeks, he and his team completed swift water training on the West River.

Not only did he participate, putting in 10-hour days and spending up to four hours at a time in 38 degree, fast-moving water, but he orchestrated the program and brought in the necessary outside instructor.

"He has held us to this great high standard, and he just took it to the next level," said Teich. "There's nothing he likes better than a good challenge -- to figure out a new way to do the job better."

Hazelton said he is looking forward to continuing his work at Rescue Inc. He said he enjoys the fact that every day on the job is different, and he is looking forward to watching Rescue Inc., grow and evolve in the years to come.

"We're as strong as I've seen right now," he said. "I'm looking toward the future -- toward improving -- and we're at a place right now where we're very pro-active and always moving forward."