By Court Summers, 2010
 
     Andover rescue squad and volunteer fire fighter in the Proctor Academy Fire Department (PAFD), Sam Brown, a seventeen year old from upstate New York, is very enthusiastic about his work in these two areas over the past two years . 

      He is thankful to attend Proctor and to have the opportunity to experience real work in the rescue field. His dream is to be an EMT and he is already working on getting his Coast Guard license. Sam remarked, “I am currently living my dream having the opportunity to be a part of the programs I want to succeed in.” He has already been involved in emergency scenarios at the Black Water Ski Area, and works there Monday through Friday as part of the Proctor ski patrol.  Riding in the ambulance, he has checked patient’s vitals and he continues to shadow local EMTs in the ambulance. Sam wants to use his abilities to help people and develop toward being a certified EMT and enrolled in the Coast Guard.  Proctor faculty member Phil Hackman has helped to cultivate Sam’s interest in emergency medicine. 

Sam notes, “Phil Hackman inspired me to pursue Emergency Medical Services. I joined the Andover Rescue squad this fall as an apprentice level provider. Before I came to Proctor, I never had the opportunity to participate in a local fire department and EMS, but in a small town like Andover, it is easy to be involved. Andover would not be the great town it is without volunteer firemen and EMTs.” 

“The first call I went on was a car accident in front of Jake’s last May. Inexperienced and unqualified, I assessed the situation and the victim until firemen and EMTs arrived ten minutes later.  This was the ‘crowning point’ of my interest in emergency services. I was caught up in the adrenaline of the moment and fascinated with the procedures of extricating the patient from the car and testing him. After this event, I knew I wanted to be a volunteer EMT.” 

Sam has continued to immerse himself in the Andover Rescue Squad this winter. He reports, “So far this winter I’ve gone on three calls with the Andover Rescue Squad. I can’t compare the adrenaline rush ... on a call to anything else.” 

Sam continues to help students on campus in times of need.  Just this past week, Chuck Will wrote, “This morning at 11:15, a student fell head-first off his bike near the pond, knocking out a tooth and causing some bleeding from the mouth. Witnessing the accident, Sam Brown ran down North Street and responded like a professional EMT, comforting the student and walking him (arm around the waist) to the Health Center. Then, Sam returned to the frozen blood spot, and took the time to find the missing tooth, which he ran back to the HC. Inspirational!” 

Sam’s experiences at Proctor are unique; he has taken full advantage of Proctor’s ability to give students opportunities to pursue their passions.