WATERBURY – The 50th EMS Week awards celebrate the contribution of individuals and services to public health.
Tyler Molleur with the Hardwick Emergency Rescue Squad received EMS Educator of the Year honors for his work training that rescue squad and many other EMTs elsewhere in Vermont.
Molleur says it was the second time he’d been nominated and he was actually at a training session when he learned of the award.
Lindsey O’Steen with Hardwick Rescue said the squad is “incredibly proud of him,” and, “He’s more than deserving,” adding, she is “glad to have him as our training coordinator.
After receiving the award, Tyler said, “Why me? I’m only 30 years old and still have a lot to learn.”
The Advanced Life Support Provider of the Year award honored Colby Masse of Craftsbury. Masse is a paramedic with Morristown EMS.
The State of Vermont has recognized the dedicated EMS and first responder professionals, volunteers and agencies for essential public health services they provide in their communities, as part of the 50th annual National Emergency Medical Services Week celebration.
Governor Phil Scott called out the commitment and vital work of Vermont’s career and volunteer emergency service providers, in his proclamation declaring May 19 to 25 as EMS Week. With the theme of “Honoring Our Past. Forging Our Future,” the week of activities included showcasing local EMS agencies, and culminated in the annual presentation of awards honoring individuals and EMS agencies for their outstanding efforts.
In addition to teaching EMTs and emergency first responder courses, Molleur has taught specialty classes for pediatrics. He says that his own early experiences with asthma give him a perspective as the recipient of emergency care that not all first responders have.
On top of that, his training as a nurse, and work at the UVM Medical Center, have given him the perspective of caring for patients after they’ve received emergency medical care and been transported to a hospital.
Others say Molleur has recently been teaching more Vermont EMTs each year than most other instructors.
An important aspect of Molleur’s teaching is helping new EMTs to remain flexible when planning and executing care. The role of EMTs constantly evolves so he uses his time with students to help “create a sense of curiosity and wonder . . . to help them make good decisions.”
Molleur’s mother, Tammy says the award is great, but her son is so much more than the award. “He’s the best part of me and like a gift every day,” she says. “He’s accomplished so much and I couldn’t be more proud to be his mom. Tyler’s got a really kind heart and he goes all out. I’m just so proud to be his mom.”
In addition to his work as an EMT and teacher of other EMTs, Molleur is now a clinical assistant professor with the Department of Nursing at the UVM College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Vermont has over 3,000 Emergency Medical Service providers who respond each year to over 117,000 requests for emergency medical care and specialized ambulance transport. EMS providers also take a leading role in supporting community-based injury prevention and health promotion initiatives including overdose prevention, response and education.
“When someone has a medical emergency or experiences a traumatic injury, the first people on the scene are usually First Responders, EMTs and paramedics,” said Will Moran, director of the Department of Health’s Division of Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Injury Prevention. “These family members, friends and neighbors are on-call for each of us, day or night, bringing the training and skills that often make the difference between life and death,” Moran said. “I congratulate this years’ awardees, and ask everyone to join me in thanking our EMS service providers for their dedication and care.”
The Vermont Department of Health has been the state’s public health agency for more than 130 years, working every day to protect and promote the health of Vermonters. To learn more about serving your community as an emergency medical technician or with the Medical Reserve Corps, visit OnCallforVT.org
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
