BURLINGTON
Rescue Squad Thank you for your service!
1945-2019
Published by the BURLINGTON STANDARD PRESS
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BURLINGTON RESCUE SQUAD
Rescue Squad used paid staff for first time in 2019
BY Jason Arndt STAFF WRITER
he City of Burlington Fire Department plans to hire advanced emergency medical technicians on a temporary basis to help staff Burlington Rescue Squad Inc., the non-profit organization providing emergency medical and transport services to area since 1946. The decision, effective in 2019, came after the Burlington Common Council approved an amended agreement between the two organizations at a December 2018 closed session. It marked the first time in its history the Rescue Squad has had to seek staffing with non-volunteer personnel. At the time, Fire Chief Alan Babe said the agreement covers weekend shifts, starting on Fridays from 4 to 10 p.m. along with Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. “We are going to staff an advanced EMT in those given hours to be able to assist the Burlington Rescue during those time periods,” Babe explained. He said the advanced EMTs are considered temporary workers, since this portion of the agreement is on a contract basis from year-toyear. The City of Burlington Fire Department, along with a strong core of volunteers with the Burlington Rescue Squad, had sufficiently covered the area during business hours at that time. Babe reported the Burlington Common Council in the closed session meeting agreed the costs would not exceed $70,000, which was to be reimbursed by Burlington Rescue Squad. Burlington Rescue Squad’s then Chief Brian Zwiebel said he believed the decision would bolster city services and strengthen ties between the two organizations. The agreement, Babe said, would keep associated fees affordable for area residents. Babe added the agreement reinforced the relationship with Burlington Rescue Squad.
Increased demand
At the time of this decision, the Burlington Rescue Squad had a membership of 26 people, including 12 advanced EMTs along with 14 basic EMTs and drivers. The organization, according to Zwiebel, had experienced an uptick in calls for 2018. “We are going to be over 1,600 calls this year, when you write that down, it comes to about four or five calls per day on average,” Zwiebel said. Zwiebel and Babe each said changing times have also played a role in the need for volunteers and emergency responders. “People’s lives are getting busier, you don’t just stick around anymore, there are things to do on the weekend, grandkids, kids, sporting events,” Zwiebel said. “A lot of that happens on the weekends.” At the time, Zwiebel hoped the new agreement will add at least four EMTs to weekend rotations. By the end of the year, the Rescue Squad would disband. This article first appeared in the Dec. 27, 2018, Burlington Standard Press.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Burlington Rescue Squad
The Burlington Rescue Squad members pose for a group photo in 1961. The Rescue Squad served the Burlington community from 1945 until 2019, saving many lives over its 73-year history.
A bit of How fire and rescue services began in Burlington In the early 1800s, firefighters in Burlington were handicapped by lack of water and sparse equipment. Cisterns were dug in strategic places and kept filled with water, but never enough for a large fire. Equipment would consist of leather buckets, a horse cart with a hand pump and a few hundred feet of rubber or canvas hose. Most often a burning building would be doomed and efforts made to save nearby buildings. In 1877, the City of Burlington Fire Department was a 20-man hose company, located in the old City-Town Hall on the corner of Pine and Washington streets with E.S. Vorhees serving as the foreman and Charles Keuper and J.E. Faitoute as assistants. With a growing population, the city added a 35-member hook-and-ladder company in 1878 by Louis Knost and operated out of a building on Liberty Street (now State Street) near McHenry Street. “The men take great pride in their organization and have carried off a number of prizes for exhibitions of skill, including one from Freeport of $250 and a silver pitcher obtained at the Chicago tournament last September (1878),” a report at the time stated. In 1890, improvements were made to the fire system with updated equipment, including a new hose wagon, 1,000 feet of hose added to the existing 300 feet and a new $100 fire bell that was installed in the Village Hall belfry in 1890.
A building on Liberty Street (later to be named State Street), at the Hillside (the area around the junction of Liberty and McHenry streets), was leased to store fire apparatus for that end of the town. An alarm system was added in 1907 with call boxes at strategic locations and other high-risk areas in each ward. As the city continued to grow, many changes began to take place. One such change was the construction of a new waterworks building in 1925. This facility also housed the Fire Department at a new consolidated location. Another change was the creation of the Burlington Area Rescue Squad in 1945 by the Burlington Rotary Club. This Rescue Squad, which became operational in 1946, was organized to aid people in distress, not only in the city, but also in the surrounding areas. The final move for the City of Burlington Fire Department and Burlington Area Rescue Squad came in 1969 to their present location on Washington Street. The Rescue Squad continued serving the community for the next 50 years before dissolving on Dec. 31, 2019. For most of its existence, the Rescue Squad was manned by volunteers, until January of 2019, when the squad hired staff. See related story on this page. Information for this history came from the Burlington Rescue Squad website at burlingtonrescuesquad.com at “Burlington, Wisconsin – The First 150+ Years,” published by the Burlington Historical Society.
BURLINGTON RESCUE SQUAD
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SUBMITTED PHOTO Burlington Rescue Squad
The 2019 Burlington Rescue Squad members pose for a photo in December. Pictured (not in order) are: Kaitlyn Bonton, Devin Chart, Troy Everson, Colleen Hebein, Jolene Kirk, Donald Klaehn, Jeffrey Koenen, Noah Kusik, Katie Lunetta, Tim McCourt, J. Simon Miller, Danielle Robers, Allison Rodefer, Jeana Swanson,
Sadie Tenhagen, Alan Van Dusseldorp, Sara Van Dusseldorp, Mike Vos, retired chief Brian Zwiebel, Treasurer Lester Mastilier, and retired chief Tom Bishop. Not pictured are: Eric Jones, Charis Mitchell, Kaitlynn Ropp and Jayden Welch.
Thank you to our
Hometown Heroes
By Tracy Ouellette
The Hefty family was heavily involved with the With a heavy, but rescue squad with Hefty’s grateful, heart, the husband serving and WHAT: A Tribute to the Burlington community Mayor Hefty joining the Burlington Rescue says goodbye to its rescue squad after his unexpected Squad community open squad at the end of 2019. death. house The Burlington Rescue “Jeannie volunteered WHERE: Veterans Squad is dissolving Dec. on the squad for many Terrace, 589 Milwaukee 31 after 73 years of service years,” Lynch recalled. Ave., Burlington and will be missed. “She and her husband were WHEN: Afternoon of “It’s always struck exemplary members.” Sunday, Feb. 16 me how much the men Hefty said it was the and women of this squad rescue squad family that have sacrificed to serve,” helped her and her children Rescue Squad Director-Treasure Dennis get through the grief of her husband’s Lynch said. “A typical rescue squad our passing. size would run 500 to 600 calls a year, but “You become this close-knit family with the volume of calls the Burlington Rescue what you have to deal with on these calls, Squad answered was three times that at so everyone is there for everyone else,” about 1,600 calls a year. Hefty said. “When my husband died, he “For those men and women to make was serving and they were all there for my that many calls and the job they’ve done young children. It’s why I joined, to give is such a testament to their dedication and back to this great group of people and for willingness to put their families, their jobs, that family structure.” their lives, on hold for the benefit of the Hefty said she left the rescue squad Burlington community is remarkable. It’s when she moved in 2001, but rejoined in just remarkable.” 2015 when she returned to the area. She Lynch said the dissolution of recently stepped down because of health the Burlington Rescue Squad was concerns, but continued to support the “bittersweet” and while, a long time rescue squad in her position as mayor and coming, still tough to take. a community member. “It’s remarkable it lasted as long as it “It was hard, leaving, and I went did, but that’s just another testament to the through some very high-emotional people on the squad,” he said. thoughts when I left and after, but I knew City of Burlington Mayor Jeannie Hefty they were still there. I worry about the has fond memories of the rescue squad, as members leaving now; they won’t have the mayor and former member. that because the squad will be gone. So, EDITOR
If you go…
that’s another level of grief they will be going through.” Hefty said most people don’t realize how hard it is for rescue squad members and local EMTs to do their jobs. “When you go out on these calls and have to try to cope with what you see, with the pain, with the loss, it’s difficult. The hardest is what we see with people we know, especially young children. We live in a small community and it’s so hard on the members.” Hefty said the people who volunteered or worked for the Burlington Rescue Squad over the years are special and won’t be forgotten. She’s planning a community open house in mid-February to honor the rescue squad. “I’m working on getting the governor to come down for it and we’ll have local and state representatives, too,” Hefty said. “Most importantly, we want the community to come out and support the squad and are giving them an opportunity to thank these members personally.” Hefty said it was her hope that with the governor and state representatives at the event, the whole state will know how special the Burlington Rescue Squad was. “We are so fortunate with the rescue squad being here for 73 years and giving and giving and giving,” she said. “The whole state will realize what we had here and this story will not be left untold.” Hefty went on to thank the Burlington Rotary Club for supporting the rescue squad over the years and noted how much the club gave.
“We were known in the area for having all the equipment we needed and more because of their generous giving,” she said. “You don’t see that every day.” With the Burlington Rescue Squad officially dissolving at the end of 2019, Hefty made a tearful request: “When Dec. 31 comes, they are really going to feel it, so I’m asking for the community to keep them in their thoughts. Being a volunteer in this day and age is very special.”
BURLINGTON
Rescue Squad Thank you for your service!
1945-2019 A publication of Southern Lakes Newspapers LLC and the Burlington Standard Press 1102 Ann St., Delavan, WI 53115 (262) 728-3411 EDITOR: ............................................Tracy Ouellette CREATIVE DIRECTOR: .........................Heidi Schulz ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: ........Vicki Vanderwerff SECTION DESIGN:...............................
Jen DeGroot
FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES: call (262) 725-7701, ext. 134 On the cover: The Burlington Rescue Squad tends to an injured motorist during a 1974 crash.
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BURLINGTON RESCUE SQUAD
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A COMMUNITY SALUTE 73 years is before us and the history of selfless giving by men and women of The Burlington Rescue Squad through the years will never be forgotten.
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‘A period of mourning’ BURLINGTON RESCUE SQUAD
Volunteer Rescue Squad members recall their tenures
BY Jason Arndt STAFF WRITER
imon Miller remembered being placed on a waiting list to join the Burlington Rescue Squad. Miller, who eventually joined the Rescue Squad in 1979, said becoming a volunteer for the nonprofit organization created by the Burlington Rotary Club 73 years ago, was an honor. “I applied for the rescue squad, and at the time, I didn’t get on right away because there was a 20-person limit and back in those days, there was a waiting list to get on,” he recalled. “The community has been good to me and this is a way I could give back and help people in need.” Since then, Miller has served multiple officer positions, including captain, but volunteers have become harder to find. “Today we don’t have the volunteers.” The ongoing challenge to recruit adequate volunteers to answer an increased call volume recently forced the Rescue Squad to take the first step in disbanding the service dating back to 1946. Miller, like other members, acknowledged Rescue Squad’s days were numbered because of dwindling volunteers as well as an aging and growing population. “We knew that the end was coming and now the city is going to be taking over the rescue,” Miller said. “We are in a period of mourning.” The mourning, he said, includes coming to terms with leaving an all-volunteer group that has become more of a family. “It has kind of become like a family,” said Miller, who has seen multiple volunteer generations pass through the organization. “I made many friends in the community because of being a member of Burlington Rescue Squad.” Rescue Squad EMS Chief Jeff Koenen agreed with Miller. Koenen, a 15-year member, said the decision to disband was not easy and he will miss helping people he knows in the community. “It is difficult knowing that the end is coming near. The squad was created by the Rotary Club for a purpose back in 1946. Our mission as a unit has pretty much been completed now,” he said. “I am going to miss the camaraderie with other members and also helping people that I know.”
Community connections Similar to other volunteers, both have been more than just first responders in the community, with each holding jobs in other sectors. Miller first arrived to Burlington in 1966 as a physical education teacher in the Burlington Area School District. While working at BASD, he coached basketball and football, but felt compelled to join the Rescue Squad because of his
experiences at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and passion for helping others. Miller, a graduate of UW-La Crosse, remembered serving as a wrestling manager for the team and responding to wounded athletes on the mats. “Many, many bloody noses, sometimes there might be a dislocation or something. I helped take care of that individual wrestler,” he said, adding he carried his passion to Burlington. Outside the confines of BASD buildings, he served on the Alpine Valley Ski Patrol for 47 years, retiring from the post two years ago. “It was in my blood in a way,” he said, adding his father was a firefighter and often saw him respond to fires. What kept Miller on the Rescue Squad was seeing and caring for community members he knew through his experiences as with the Burlington School District. He said he would often respond to calls involving former students, their parents and grandparents. “That is why I have been for as many years as I have. Because so often, I go on calls, and I walk in the room ... and see either my students or their parents,” he said. “Many times they would say ‘Oh, Simon is here,’” he said, adding families are often relaxed because the EMT is someone they know.
See MOURNING, Page 6
TOP: Jeffrey Koenen, a 15-year Burlington Rescue Squad member, assumed the role of EMS Chief on Oct. 1. He said he didn’t understand how much the Rescue Squad helped the community until he joined in 2004. AT RIGHT: Simon Miller said he has responded to more than 15,000 calls since he started with Burlington Rescue Squad in 1979. Miller, who served multiple officer posts, said members are in a period of mourning as the Rescue Squad will disband by Jan. 1, 2020. JASON ARNDT PHOTOS Burlington Rescue Squad
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BURLINGTON RESCUE SQUAD
DANIELS FAMILY FUNERAL HOMES • Mourning & BROWNS LAKE CREMATORY
Richard Daniels
Matthew Daniels
GOLD BADGE MEMBER 1955-1975
GOLD BADGE MEMBER 1976-1991
Please accept our sincere thank you to all past and present members of the Burlington Rescue Squad. We are grateful for all you have done serving the residents of Burlington and the surrounding areas, these past 75 years. Rest assured, your dedicated service to our community will be missed but not forgotten! Schuette-DanielS BRownS lake cReMatoRy
Miller remained dedicated to teaching at BASD from 1966 until he retired in 1996. But he still responded to calls during the evening, even when he knew he had a classroom full of students the following morning. “Actually, during the day time, I could not go on calls because of having to teach, I couldn’t leave my classroom. Then I also coached football, I coached basketball at the middle school level, so I went on a lot of night calls,” he said. “Sometimes I would be out half the night and then go in and teach the next day.” Unlike today, earlier Rescue Squad members had different challenges, including transporting people to hospitals outside the area because Flight for Life wasn’t launched. “When I first got on the squad, there wasn’t Flight for Life, so at the hospital, you may have to emergency transfer and three of us would go to the hospital and transport that person to either Milwaukee, Racine, or Kenosha for more advanced care,” he said. Koenen, the owner of Reinemann’s True Value since 1982, joined the Rescue Squad in 2004 because he saw a need for more volunteers. He realized the need after an elderly customer experienced an injury in the parking lot of his store. “We had an elderly gentleman that was hit by a car in the parking lot, luckily he wasn’t seriously injured or anything, but it took about 10 minutes for anyone from the Rescue Squad to come to the store,” he said. “They needed daytime help, they were short during those times, so I knew the gentleman from the squad that came and he talked me into it.” When he started, the Rescue Squad
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responded to about three calls per day, and indicated 100 total calls in the month would be extremely high. “Within the last few years, we usually have had about 130 calls a month,” he said.
Keeping a ledger
In 1979, when Miller first joined the Rescue Squad, he reports the volunteer group helped 602 patients. “In 2018, we took care of 1,649 patients, so that is the difference in call volume,” he said. Personally, Miller keeps a ledger of his own, tallying how many times he responded to residents in need. “Every year, I mark down how many calls I went on. I have gone on over 15,000 calls in 40 years,” he said, noting he answered more than 600 in 2018.
Closing chapter
With the Rescue Squad disbanding on Jan. 1, 2020, Koenen said the organization played a key role in his life. He didn’t realize the profound affect it had on the Burlington area when he became a member. “When I first joined the squad 15 years ago, I didn’t realize how much of an impact the squad had on the community. I have responded to calls for people I know,” he said. “It is like a full-time job.” Koenen said he plans on taking six months to mull his next volunteer opportunity once the Rescue Squad disbands. Miller, a part-time employee at Gateway Technical College, could explore volunteering at Aurora Medical Center. “You just can’t retire and do nothing,” he said. “I am a person that has to be active.” Miller has instructed, helped deliver refresher courses, organized equipment, among other tasks since he started at Gateway Technical College. While Miller does not plan to slow down, he has concerns about the future of rescue services in Burlington, noting Rescue Squad members have offered a personal connection to people in the community. “They are losing that personal touch that Burlington Rescue Squad has been giving all of these years,” he said, stating he believes the city has employees who possess strong skills to offer quality care.
Celebrating service
Miller, however, said Rescue Squad members should celebrate their longstanding commitment to the Burlington area. “When it does end, we need to celebrate the 73 years in the community,” he said. This article first appeared in the Oct. 31, 2019, edition of the Burlington Standard Press.
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The hands of a
HUMANITARIAN Local teacher honored for community service
BY Ed Nadolski EDITOR IN CHIEF
peaking to an audience of appreciative community leaders in Janurary 2016, Troy Everson relayed a lesson his father taught him before he embarked on a career as a public school teacher in Burlington more than 20 years ago. His father, Larry, asked him to look at his hands and then told him those hands could be used to lift people up or beat them down. With the memory of his late father lingering like a guardian angel on Monday, Everson said he’s done his best to honor his father and use his hands for good. If his record as a teacher, rescue squad member and community theater leader are any indication, the lesson of the father grew in the fertile soil that is his son. Hailed as an inspiring teacher, a selfless community servant and an empowering live theater director, Everson was honored with the Humanitarian Award in 2016 by the Rotary Club of Burlington. The award was presented during a ceremony at Veterans Terrace as part of the club’s John B. Moe Annual
Burlington Rescue Squad meeting and Humanitarian Award banquet. “Troy truly believes that every child needs a champion – someone who not only holds them accountable for their words and actions, but who also stands by their side on their unloveable days,” said Beth Reetz, who has worked with Everson on numerous school and community theater productions. “He knows that a few gentle words, an arm around the shoulder, and a meaningful ‘I’m really proud of you’ are simple ways in which he can let a student know that they matter and are important.” Reetz was among three primary speakers who painted a picture of a man who combines intelligence with enthusiasm and compassion to serve his students, the community and, by extension, the world. “The beauty of his inspiration is the way in which it creates a ripple effect as his thousands of students go out into the world and pay forward the lessons that they have learned from Mr. E,” Reetz said. Everson’s contributions go far beyond the classroom, according to Rescue Squad Chief Brian Zwiebel.
See HUMANITARIAN, Page 11
TOP: Troy Everson (seated) is serenaded by Burlington High School students Sam Jorudd (from left), Karley Nadolski, Leah Zinnen and Jacob Burton after he was honored with the Humanitarian Award from the Rotary Club of Burlington in January 2016 at Veterans Terrace. The students were members of the cast of the musical Everson is currently directing, “Anything Goes.” ED NADOLSKI Burlington Rescue Squad
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Everson touts training program at state convention
BY Jennifer Eisenbart CORRESPONDENT
There are few things that Burlington High School teacher Troy Everson likes to do more than talk about his students’ accomplishments. So, when Burlington Area School District School Board member Rosanne Hahn – who is also the district delegate at the Wisconsin Association of School Boards conference this week – asked if he wanted to attend the conference to present on the BHS emergency medical technicians training, he was more than enthusiastic. “If you give me a chance to brag about Burlington, BHS or my students, sit back and hang on,” Everson said Tuesday. “You’ve got the ride of your life coming up.” Everson will have a booth at the WASB convention talking about BHS1 – the program that allows high school students to become EMTs through Gateway Technical College. Currently, BHS is the only high school program
See EVERSON, Page 11
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BURLINGTON RESCUE SQUAD
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Thank you!
Clockwise from above: 2019 Burlington Rescue Squad EMS Chief Jeffrey J. Koenen (from left), 1st Lt. Michael Vos, Captain Donald Klaehn and 2nd Lt. Jeana Swanson; the Rescue Squad members in 1987; the 1963 Burlington Rescue Squad; the 1983 Rescue Squad; and the 1996 Rescue Squad. The Burlington Rescue Squad was an all-volunteer organization until 2019. These brave men and women and many others served the Burlington community with distinction and honor. SUBMITTED PHOTOS Burlington Rescue Squad
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BURLINGTON RESCUE SQUAD
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• Humanitarian
Rescue Squad makes dissolution official
Nonprofit organization formally votes to end service
BY Jason Arndt STAFF WRITER
lthough dissolution was inevitable, the decision wasn’t easy for Burlington Rescue Squad Dec. 9, 2019, when the Rescue Squad, which includes the membership of the Burlington Rotary Club, formally voted on the decision effective Jan. 1, 2020. Burlington Rescue Squad, a nonprofit organization founded by and funded through the Burlington Rotary Club, started discussions to disband with the city and town of Burlington fire departments following an April 3 closed session of the Common Council. The discussions stemmed from an uptick in rescue calls within the last five years accounting for about 1,600 responses annually. That volume has stressed the volunteer staff of the Rescue Squad beyond its long-term capabilities. The City of Burlington Fire Department plans to assume rescue services for both the city and town of Burlington on Jan. 1. Rotary Club member Dennis Lynch, who serves as a director and secretary of Burlington Rescue Squad, said dissolution was difficult because it served the community for more than seven decades. “It was bittersweet in the sense that they have served the community for many, many years,” he said. “Burlington Rescue has done incredible service to our area for all that time.” Jeff Koenen, Rescue Squad Chief, said in a phone interview Tuesday “it was very emotional” for his department as more than 20 members were on hand to vote. He said neighboring departments responded to rescue calls while members of his department made the final vote. The dissolution, meanwhile, paves the way for Burlington Rescue Squad to liquidate its assets.
Liquidation plan
Koenen confirmed the Burlington Community Fund will hold the financial assets that will be used for charitable purposes in the future. A committee consisting of two former Rescue Squad members as well as three from the Rotary Club will decide where the funds will be distributed. Rotary Club president Eric Burling will appoint the committee. Lynch said Burling, who is also Burlington High School principal, will begin assembling the committee to make recommendations concerning whatever funds are left once Burlington Rescue Squad officially dissolves.
As for physical assets, which consist of equipment, Burlington Rescue Squad will donate them to area fire departments. Burlington Rescue Squad has 25 pieces of equipment set for liquidation, according to a list obtained by the Standard Press. Burlington Rescue Squad plans to offer the main ambulance, listed as unit 933, to the City of Burlington Fire Department. Other physical assets include donating extrication/heavy rescue unit 930 and UTV/ trailer to the Town of Burlington Fire Department. The Town of Burlington Fire Department could also receive two of four surface computers as well as half of Burlington Rescue’s pager/charger inventory. Burlington Rescue Squad also plans to donate an autopulse device, single band radios/chargers, turn-out gear, various office equipment, washer and dryer, red/ blue wall racking, rescue task force gear, Phillips Heart Start Monitor, supply and resource room contents, nitrous oxide system, clothing as well as lights/sirens from vehicles. Most of the equipment will remain in either the town or city of Burlington fire departments or be distributed to neighboring agencies such as Rochester Volunteer Fire Company, Kansasville Fire and Rescue and the Town of Lyons Fire and Rescue. “The reason we picked those departments is because they have helped us so much in the past and we have helped them,” Koenen said. In addition, the organization plans to donate the secondary ambulance, known as unit 932, to Birnamwood Area Emergency Services of Shawano County, which is about 20 miles east of Wausau and less than 80 miles west of Green Bay. Koenen said his department decided on Birnamwood Area Emergency Services because former EMS Chief Brian Zwiebel has ties to the central Wisconsin area. “They cover 260 square miles and they have three ambulances currently, one is down completely, they cannot get the parts for it. One is in service, but needs repairs on it, so they are down to one ambulance,” Koenen said. Even with the chance to help other departments, Lynch said Burlington Rescue Squad members are grieving as they acknowledge the organization will dissolve at the end of this year. “A lot of people were saddened by this turn of events, but it wasn’t a surprise,” he said.
Discussions continue
As for the future, the City of Burlington Common Council has continued discussions about a contract with the Town of Burlington to provide rescue services. Since April, the Common Council and Burlington Town Board have each held several closed sessions related to the contract. This article first appeared in the Dec. 5, 2019, edition of the Burlington Standard Press.
Page 11
(Continued from page 7)
In addition to achieving Gold Badge status as a squad member with more than 20 years service, Everson is the pioneer and driving force behind BHS1, a cooperative training program for students at Burlington High School that puts them on track to become emergency medical technicians. Zwiebel said Everson saw the solution to the all-volunteer service’s recruitment challenge in the high school students who were hungry for a higher level of medical training. With just 20 regular members answering an average of more than 1,000 calls per year, Zwiebel said, the addition of squad members who have come up through the BHS1 program has been a Godsend. “Troy is the reason we have BHS1. This is his baby,” Zwiebel said. “Troy is the push behind the program and continues to push for the kids who could be our future doctors, nurses, etc. “Without Troy there would not be a BHS1 program.” Burlington High School Principal Eric Burling said Everson has gone well above and beyond what most teachers bring to the community. In addition to his work with BHS1 and the district’s drama department, Everson has forged cooperative partnerships with Aurora Health Care and Rosalind Franklin Medical School in Chicago to create hands-on learning opportunities. He also is the driving force behind the school’s participation in the Forever Changed program – an annual mock crash featuring actual emergency responders that poignantly illustrates the dangers of distracted and impaired driving. “If you take the time to talk to anyone who has succeeded in the game of life most likely they’ll tell you about a teacher who inspired them,” Burling said. “They will mention the values they learned and the encouragement they received to ask questions and explore new ideas. “Burlington High School has been blessed to have Troy Everson around to be that ‘somebody’ to many of our students.” Contacted by email Tuesday, Everson said he was honored and humbled to win the award. He then used the platform to encourage others. “I do believe there are far more people out there who are much more deserving of such an honor than me,” he wrote. “My sincerest wish is that all people, no matter where you are in life, find your gifts, talents and life-mission. When you’ve found these go forward, unapologetically. “The rewards you receive back are immeasurable.” This article first appeared in the Jan. 21, 2016, edition of the Burlington Standard Press.
• Everson
(Continued from page 7)
in the state that has a dedicated group of students – a total of 21 at present time – responding to 911 calls during the day, and only the second nationwide. Students sign up for shifts, and are able to leave school to respond to calls as needed. All 21 students are seniors that have signed up for the EMT-Basic course through the youth options program – a statewide credit program that allows students to get postsecondary credits. The BHS1 program will hit its 128th graduate this spring, and Everson estimated about 75 of those students are still involved in a medical field of some sort. Students who participate are expected to be pursuing a medical field and complete the school’s anatomy and physiology class. Those accepted train at Gateway’s HERO Center in Burlington. Everson won’t be alone at the conference. Students Jacob Drettwan, Tanner Swantz, Rylee Jacobsen, Abby Sibilski, Hegeman Tiedt, Jordan Jones and Tristan Lind will also be there, and one of the program’s first graduates will be there as well. Jesse Schwarten, who was in the first class of BHS1, will be there both days. Schwarten is now the deputy medical examiner for Kenosha County after attending the University of Wisconsin–Platteville to earn his bachelor’s degree in forensic investigation, with minors in biology and criminal justice. “He’s a wonderful young man,” Everson said. Schwarten said the program got him interested in the medical field. “That kind of got it all started,” said Schwarten, who added that the experience helped him land his job in Kenosha. It’s been a busy week so far for Everson. On Monday, he was honored by the Burlington Rotary as the group’s Humanitarian of the Year. Shortly after the award ceremony Monday night, he went to administer his final exam in the forensic science class at the high school. The award, he said, is proof that he and his colleagues are doing right by their students. “It was an extremely humbling experience,” Everson said. “But it was also proof positive that what I and my colleagues in education here in Burlington is the right thing.” As for the convention, it just gave Everson more chances to show off the work his students have done. “I’m beyond excited,” he said. “I think all too often people hear about the negativity of teenagers. Instead of seeing what students are doing wrong, I get a chance to show our state what our students are doing right.”
Page 12
BURLINGTON RESCUE SQUAD
Special delivery returned to sender Local EMT meets the ‘baby’ he delivered 17 years ago
BY Jennifer Eisenbart CORRESPONDENT
December 2013, Burlington High School science teacher Troy Everson walked into school to start his day. There to greet him was BHS Principal Eric Burling, with a simple question. “What are you doing in your class today?” Everson recalled being asked. Burling then added, “I have somebody who’s coming in, and we’re going to stop by your classroom.” So later that day, when Burling sent two guests up with Assistant Principal Jill Oelslager, Everson was ready – if a little confused. “The gentleman said, ‘I know who you are. We met a long time ago,’” said Everson. “I said, ‘I’m sorry, I’m not placing the face.’ “He said, ’17 years ago, this very night, you and I met.’ I still didn’t get it. He said, ‘In the middle of the night, my wife woke me up and said I think my water just broke.’” With that bit of information, Everson’s mind went back those 17 years, to a cold, stormy, icy Wisconsin December evening, and a rescue squad call he will never forget. The call Once his memory was jogged, Everson remembered the night vividly. On Dec. 13, 1996, Burlington was, simply put, a mess. An ice storm had made it virtually impossible to travel, which made life difficult for the Burlington Area Rescue Squad’s “green squad” – which Everson has always been a part of. The squad got paged out for a woman in labor. “The roads were horrible,” said Everson. “I remember that we crawled, essentially, out to their home.” The Rushes had just moved into the home – located a few miles outside of Burlington – about six days before. Steve Rush remembers boxes everywhere, and then his wife waking him up in the middle of the night. As an environmental health and safety manager for Huntsman International, Steve refers to himself a “few hours” short of being an EMT because of all the classes he’s taken. So, when green squad arrived at his house, and Troy Everson was the first to walk through the door, he felt pretty comfortable telling them that his wife was ready to deliver. Rush remembered telling Everson, “The kid is breech, and I can see his butt.” Everson, meanwhile, thought Rush was the typical overanxious father – until he got upstairs and saw Rush’s wife, Jodi. “Dad was right,” Everson recalled. “There was no time. “The dad and I decided, ‘we’re going to deliver this baby.’” Steve added, “He didn’t even bat an eye. He said, ‘We’re doing this.’” The delivery From there, Everson recalled, it was time to buckle down. The baby was, indeed, breech. As the rest of the squad prepped obstetrics kits and called for salt trucks so they would be able to transport to the hospital following the delivery, Everson and Steve Rush went back to the expectant mother. It was not an easy delivery. Everson and Rush leave out most of the details, but a breech delivery does involve extra effort. So, when the baby finally entered the world, Everson couldn’t help but get caught up in the moment. “It was an incredible rush of emotion,” Everson said.
TOP: Burlington Area Rescue Squad member Troy Everson stands next to the stork and tally marks on one of the group’s ambulances. Everson earned the first tally when he delivered a young man 17 years ago – and saw that young man come back to visit him two weeks ago for the first time. JENNIFER EISENBART Burlington Rescue Squad
From there, things almost returned to normal. The salt trucks made it possible for the ambulance to make it back to the hospital, though it took the squad about a half hour to drive somewhere between five or six miles. “On the way to the hospital, the baby fell asleep in his mother’s arms,” recalled Everson. The mother and child were checked out in the emergency room, then sent upstairs to the OB ward. “I had no idea what the baby’s name was, and as a matter of fact, I really had no idea who the parents were,” Everson said. A month or so after, the parents brought baby Noah to a rescue squad meeting, along with a picture. That picture still remains in the Burlington Area Rescue Squad resource room, but it isn’t the only reminder. As a result of the delivery, storks are now painted on the side of the ambulances – with five tally marks. Everson lays claim to the first. The visit Over the years, things changed. Noah, 17 (at the time this story was written), was a junior at Elkhorn Area High
School. But what hasn’t changed is Noah’s lifelong interest in the stories Steve tells about his birth. And as the two talked, they realized that Noah’s 17th birthday would fall on Friday the 13th – the same as the day he was born. “It’s something we’ve talked about before,” Steven said. “The whole thing…there’s so many little details that go into what makes the whole story what it was.” So, when Steve broached the idea of visiting Everson and finally meeting him, it seemed like providence. “He instantly thought it was a great idea,” said Steve, who added that he emailed Burling in the morning and had an answer by that afternoon. “He thought it was awesome,” Steve added. Only Burling, Oelslager and the school secretary knew what would transpire, as Burling wanted to keep it a surprise. Coincidentally, the class the Rushes came to was Everson’s anatomy and physiology class – the precursor
See SPECIAL DELIVERY, Page 13
• Special delivery to enrolling in BHS’s EMT program. That program will be expanded next year to include Elkhorn and Delavan students via Gateway’s virtual classroom VANGUARD, and Noah Rush wants to take part. That is the future, though. On Dec. 13, it was all about the past – and the present. “Cut to 17 years later,” said Everson. “(They) decided it would be nice for the young man to finally meet me, when he’d actually remember who I was. “I felt like life had come full circle for me,” Everson added. As a teacher and an EMT, Everson has seen years of service go by, sometimes without recognition because people don’t see the behind-the-scenes effort. This showed it. “My son held out his hand to shake his, and said, ‘It’s an honor to meet you,’” Steve said. “(Noah) was pretty fired up. “For me, it was two-fold,” Steve added. “He’s a schoolteacher, and an EMT. Ninety percent of the time, they only get the bad news. “I was excited to be able to go and show my appreciation. Here’s living proof of the good that you do.” And everyone finally got a chance to put a face to the names involved. “I don’t think many people can say they met the guy that brought them into the world,” said Noah, who had been hearing the various details for many, many years. “It was really funny, because I honestly didn’t know what to expect. “It was cool that he’s such a nice guy.” And as the conversation played out, Everson discovered there were more similarities. Noah is interested in many different emergency fields, including the possibility of becoming a police officer, an EMT, or a paramedic. With the BHS program expanding the following year, Noah planned to be on board. “I definitely plan on signing up,” said Noah. “It sounds like it would be a fun course to take.” That caught Everson off guard. “Little did I know, 17 years ago … I was passing on that torch,” said the teacher and EMT, who called both Steve and Noah “gracious and kind and complimentary.” “(They) just returned the favor that I helped them with 17 years ago,” he added.
BURLINGTON RESCUE SQUAD
(Continued from page 12)
“The inspiration and feeling of pride in meeting this young man are definitely a highlight in my career in working in EMS and in my career working with young adults.” Or as Steve said to him during that amazing conversation in the classroom, Everson has touched people’s lives. “The man you see every day made a huge difference,” Steve told his son in the classroom that dad. Everson added, “It was just a really good feeling. It validated why we volunteer and why we do what we do.” This story first appeared in the Jan. 9, 2014, edition of the Burlington Standard Press.
TOP: Troy Everson (from left, Noah Rush and Steve Rush pose for a photo the day Noah met the man who delivered him on a rescue call. AT RIGHT: Noah Rush’s baby picture is one of the treasures in the Burlington Rescue Squad’s archive. FILE PHOTOS Burlington Rescue Squad
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Page 14
BURLINGTON RESCUE SQUAD
Rescue Squad members honored Volunteer service earns Rotary’s Humanitarian Award
For 73 years, the all-volunteer Burlington the possibility with the club’s leadership it Area Rescue Squad has been dedicated to became clear that this was the right thing to the health and welfare of the community’s do. residents. “Since the squad was formed with This year, for the first time in its history, nothing more than makeshift equipment, it the squad will begin paying emergency has been the volunteer members – who medical technicians to cover some turnout for emergencies at all shifts when volunteer staffing is hours with considerable cost on SEE THE low. their personal and professional VIDEO That milestone of lives – that have made the To view a video feature uninterrupted volunteer service special,” he added. on the Burlington Rescue service did not go unnoticed In 2018 the squad Squad presented at by members of the responded to a record 1,576 the local Rotary Club’s Burlington Rotary Club, calls and treated a total of Humanitarian the local organization that 1,649 patients, according to Banquet, visit myracine founded the Rescue Squad in Rescue Squad Chief Brian county.com 1946. Zwiebel. He noted that most On Jan. 21, the local service club volunteer rescue services turn to bestowed its Humanitarian Award on the professional staffing once the call volume Rescue Squad to honor its long legacy of exceeds 750 annually. volunteer community service, club member Zwiebel estimated the members of Ed Nadolski said. the squad collectively donated more than Nadolski, who organizes the annual 6,200 hours to the community last year in award for the club, said the presentation was answering calls, training and maintaining a departure from the norm. equipment. “The club has been giving the award Nadolski said the intent of the award since 1969 and this is the first time it has is to recognize the work of the squad on gone to a group of people rather than an individual and group levels throughout its individual,” Nadolski said. “As I discussed history.
In a video presentation prepared for the award, several members of the squad recounted how the service has changed from the days when rudimentary First Aid and rapid transport were the goals until today when well-trained medical technicians work to stabilize patients using modern medical equipment and techniques. While the equipment, training and level of service has changed markedly through the years one thing hasn’t changed, according to Zwiebel – the dedication of the volunteer members. Longtime squad member Troy Everson said service on the squad gives its members a chance to be “a positive member of the community on a daily basis each time the pager goes off.” “It’s when you recognize there is
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TOP: Members of the Burlington Rescue Squad gather for a photo after being presented the Humanitarian Award by the Burlington Rotary Club Monday at Veterans Terrace in January 2019. The members of the squad on hand for the event are (front row, from left) Simon Miller, Allison Rodefer, Katie Vos, Noah Kusik, Katie Bonton, Sadie Tenhagen, Jeana Swanson, Sara VanDusseldorp, Josh Spencer, Fire Chief Alan Babe, Assistant Fire Chief Eric Jones; (back row) Troy Everson, Tim McCourt, EMS Chief Brian Zwiebel, Dan Thomas, Vickie Baumeister, Don Klaehn, Jolene Kirk, Abby Maerzke, Dani Robers, Charis Mitchell, Ed Umnus, Devan Chart, Alan VanDusseldorp, Mike Vos, Mary Anna Stose. ED NADOLSKI Burlington Rescue Squad
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something far greater in life than you as an individual,” he said. In recent years the squad had become a pioneer in developing innovative programs and relationships to maximize the volunteer potential of the organization. For the past decade the squad has grown the BHS 1 program, which trains and then uses Burlington High School students in on-call service. It is one of just two such programs in the nation, according to Everson, who coordinates the program. In the past two years, the squad has developed a relationship with the City of Burlington Fire Department in which firefighters with proper training become associate members of the rescue squad and
BURLINGTON RESCUE SQUAD
Page 15
Rescue Squad welcomed new leader Koenen assumed chief role in October
BY Jason Arndt STAFF WRITER
Burlington EMS Chief Brian Zweibel served the Burlington Rescue Squad for more than 33 years and retired from the department Oct. 1, 2019. Jeffrey Koenen filled out the rest of Zweibel’s term ending Dec. 31, 2019. Zweibel, who served as EMS Chief since 2010, announced his retirement to members of the Burlington Rescue Squad on Aug. 14 because he wanted to spend more time with his family. “After 33 years serving the community in both the City Fire Department and Burlington Rescue Squad, it is necessary that I step down so I can focus on my family,” he wrote in a news release. Burlington Town Fire Chief Bill Vrchota, who has worked with Zweibel for a decade, said the retiring EMS chief has always been a dedicated community member. In addition, Koenen noted Zweibel had a “heart” for the community. “I have known Brian for 20-plus years. We worked very well together and he was a pleasure to work with,” Koenen said. “I believe he was a huge asset to Burlington Rescue Squad.” Koenen, meanwhile, said Zweibel will still be nearby to offer assistance wherever needed, but will primarily serve in “advisory role.” “He has made quite an impact, especially over the last five or six years working with the city making sure that we have enough manpower on the rescue squad itself,” said Koenen, who has been with Burlington Rescue Squad since 2004. “He will still be available for me to ask questions.” For Koenen, the leadership post itself is nothing new, since he served as EMS Chief from 2006 to 2010. In the last nine years, Koenen said, there have been many changes, including more state-mandated trainings as well as an increase demand for services. “Just through EMT itself, there are more trainings that we have to do to keep our licenses,” he said. Koenen, however, stressed Burlington Rescue Squad will not have any disruptions in service. Although volunteers remain in demand, Koenen reports the current base has been stable throughout 2019. “One of the challenges will be to make sure we have enough volunteers to staff the ambulances. But we have been doing good this year and I need to make sure that continues,” he said. “It is going to be a smooth transition at Burlington Rescue Squad. We will continue the high quality services that we have been doing for the community over the last 73 years.” Community collaboration Koenen said he looks to continue Burlington Rescue Squad’s strong relationship with both the city and town fire departments. The relationship includes City Fire Chief Alan Babe and Vrchota. “I am looking forward to working with my fellow Burlington Rescue Squad members, City of Burlington Fire Chief Babe, and Town of Burlington Fire Chief Vrchota, to keep Burlington Rescue Squad working well with all entities”. The working relationship includes Burlington Rescue Squad’s continuing negotiations to potentially merge operations with town and city fire departments. Koenen said the ongoing discussions will not change, stating he plans to review the matter. “The negotiations won’t be changing,” he said. “I am not fully up to speed on that, but I will be spending the next month getting caught up.” Burlington Rescue Squad, a nonprofit organization funded through the Burlington Rotary Club, started discussions with the city and town of Burlington fire departments following an April 3, 2019, closed session of the Common Council. The discussions stemmed from an uptick in rescue calls within the last five years accounting for about 1,600 responses annually. That volume has stressed the volunteer staff of the rescue squad. The negotiations regarding the future of the service have continued throughout the spring and summer, but by fall it was clear the Rescue Squad would disband. This article first appeared in the Sept. 12, 2019, edition of the Burlington Standard Press.
Teaching and training Above: The Burlington Rescue Squad was committed to educating the area’s youth and often brought out equipment to local schools and organizations to show the kids what the squad did. At left: The rescue squad also held classes over the years to train the public in CPR and basic first aid. SUBMITTED PHOTOS Burlington Rescue Squad
• Rescue squad
(Continued from page 14)
expand the staffing pool, according to Zwiebel. Members of the squad in January 2019 included: Vickie Baumeister, Devin Chart, Everson, Courtney Jinar, Eric Jones, Don Kalehn, Jolene Kirk, Jeff Koenen, Noah Kusik, Abby Maerzke, Tim McCourt, Simon Miller, Charis Mitchell, Allison Rodefer, Mary Anna Stose, Jeana Swanson, Dan Thomas, Allen Van Dusseldorp, Sara Van Dusseldorp, Katie Vos, Mike Vos, Brooke Wesner and Zwiebel; Fire Department associate members Chief Alan Babe, Justin Benko, Collin Burke, Dan Fallon, Mandy Herring, Abby Holland, Kacie Karczewski, Ronnie Mason, Wes Miner, Amanda Moeller, Joshua Spencer, Heather
Sympson and Brian Tilapa; and student members Alexa Aguire, Katie Bonton, Danni Robers and Sadie Tenhagen. Nadolski said the debt the community owes all the volunteer squad members in the past 73 years is immeasurable. “Each member puts his or her community ahead of self and family,” he said. “And they do it at the expense of their own comfort and in some instances their own health. “Thank you doesn’t seem enough.” This article first appeared in the Jan. 24, 2019, edition of the Burlington Standard Press.
Page 16
BURLINGTON RESCUE SQUAD
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