Fielding, a biology major from Salem, N.H., became interested in emergency medicine as a lifeguard at a pool. During her senior year in high school she took the 130-hour National Registry EMT Basic course, completed the 24 hours of required clinical time, and passed the certification exams. As a freshman at Saint Anselm, she became a licensed EMT Intermediate in New Hampshire.

Matt Barter, a freshman from Maine, also had an early interest. He became an EMT in high school and worked with his hometown fire and rescue department. Barter found out about the team on the college Web site and contacted Fielding before he arrived on campus. He didn’t have to wait long to put his skills to use. The day after returning from an overnight training session in September, a car with four passengers went airborne on a curve behind the football field and rolled into the woods. He was first on the scene. A criminal justice major, Barter plans to combine his interests in police work and emergency medicine by working on a SWAT team as a tactical paramedic.

EMTs must earn continuing education credits to maintain certification. Last fall, Barter was trained in “high angle rescue”—making him a handy guy to have around when you’re stranded on a cliff.

The amazing thing about these students—besides their skill and dedication— is that as soon as they learn something, they start teaching it. Barter has already offered fellow students training in pediatric first aid and illicit drugs. Soon, the team will train staff and faculty members to use the 12 automatic electric defibrillators available to treat people with heart attacks.

Saint Anselm’s Rescue Team was started by Rob DiLuzio ’94, who was a certified EMT and wanted to put his skills to use. At the time, he says, it took 12-15 minutes for an ambulance to arrive on campus. “It was frustrating to hear the scanner and not be able to do anything,” he recalls. He got the team rolling with the help of other EMT students, Health Services Director Connie Richards ’69, and then security director Norm Paul. They raised money putting on an EMT class, and DiLuzio’s parents, who ran an ambulance service, donated time and equipment.

What do the team members get out of all this? Fielding cites three things: the satisfaction of helping; team bonding and friendships; and career experience. Oh, and one more: a parking spot right outside the dorm.

1 | 2