Celebrating 50+ Years of Service

In 1969 a Saint Michael’s College student died on an athletic field while waiting for limited emergency medical services to arrive. Several members of the college community believed his death might have been prevented by prompt emergency service. With the assistance of Donald Sutton, former dean of students and security director of the College, they began Saint Michael’s Rescue. The organization was funded by an appropriation from the College and aggressive fund raising by the students and college staff members who supported the program. Throughout the history of the department, fund raising has been the cornerstone of economic vitality of the organization.  

In this way, the organization was established to meet a perceived need for increased emergency medical coverage on campus and in the immediate area. The development of a fire response unit was seen as an enhancement to service levels, a means to improve community relations, and another way for students to give back to the communities and learn valuable life skills through both units. 

Operating with minimal equipment and the college security van, these student volunteers began serving the campus community. Within a few months they expanded their coverage to 385 square miles of Chittenden County, including the towns of Winooski, Hinesburg, Williston, St. George, part of Colchester, and 26 miles of Interstate 89.  

In the beginning, the group worked closely with the Winooski Fire Department, who at the time was the first responding agency on campus. After a number of years of service and in part because the college campus was actually located in the Town of Colchester, SMFR began working closely with the Colchester Center Volunteer Fire Company Inc. 

The students past and present would like to thank Don “Pappy” Sutton and the founding members for their hard work and continued dedication throughout the years.

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“Experience is not what happens to you - experience is what you do with what happens to you.” 
-DON "PAPPY" SUTTON

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Below is a brief timeline of our beginnings as a professional department. The timeline is a work in progress and will be continuously updated.

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