EMS retiree answered call for decades
EMS retiree answered call for decades
Longtime first responder Randy Hettenbaugh is honored during his retirement celebration from EmergyCare. The event marked a milestone of 50 combined years of dedicated emergency service for the community. Pictured here with Hettenbaugh is CEO David Basnak and Hettenbaugh’s souvenir stretcher seen in the background.
Randy Hettenbaugh officially concluded his 37-year tenure with EmergyCare's Warren Division on Sept. 30. Pictured are Jim Zavinksi, Tristan McKee, Amber Gardner, Randy Hettenbaugh, Ashley Gurdak and Rachel Chelton.
Longtime first responder Randy Hettenbaugh is honored during his retirement celebration from EmergyCare. The event marked a milestone of 50 combined years of dedicated emergency service for the community. Pictured here with Hettenbaugh is CEO David Basnak and Hettenbaugh’s souvenir stretcher seen in the background.
Randy Hettenbaugh officially concluded his 37-year tenure with EmergyCare's Warren Division on Sept. 30. Pictured are Jim Zavinksi, Tristan McKee, Amber Gardner, Randy Hettenbaugh, Ashley Gurdak and Rachel Chelton.
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In 1975, a high school friend convinced Randy Hettenbaugh to join the North Warren Volunteer Fire Department, as a junior member (under 18). Little did he know that those weekly drills he learned would turn into a lifelong career of service.
He remembers the summer of 1976 when a siren was heard with a couple of short bursts which Hettenbaugh said that he knew meant help was needed for an ambulance call. He went down to see what he could do to help.
"Well, since I wasn’t 18 yet (therefore not allowed to drive an ambulance) so that put me in the back with the patient, with only basic first-aid learned in the Boy Scouts. After that happened a few more times, I decided I needed to know more if I was going to keep doing this, so in the fall I took the EMT class, while a senior in high school."
Throughout his 25-year tenure with the North Warren Volunteer Fire Department, Hettenbaugh answered numerous local fire calls and frequently aided neighboring communities through mutual aid response. Beyond firefighting, his dedication extended to emergency medical services, where he served on two separate ambulance crews and spent several years as an ambulance officer, including a one-year term as chief. A leader within the organization, Hettenbaugh twice served as department president and spent many years as vice president.
"After being an EMT for about 12 years, I enrolled in Warren Counties 2nd Paramedic program, and was a Paramedic for 38 years."
His first job as an EMT was with Warren General Hospitals MICU (Medical Intensive Care) program, where two EMT's were sent with an RN, to transfer sick patients to a hospital of higher care. Then once Warren's paramedic program got up and running, Hettenbaugh was hired part time to work for TransCare. Eventually TransCare merged with EmergyCare, and then after working 30 years at Blair Corp., EmergyCare became his full time job.
Former work partner Joyce Strickland, who also recently retired, recalled the rewarding experience of partnering with him during their final years together. She highlighted the memory of the camaraderie built during the COVID-19 pandemic, a challenging period when they had to carefully assist one another in donning extensive protective gear -- including gowns, hoods, masks, gloves, and respirators -- prior to every patient transport.
In addition to his daily duties at EmergyCare, his specialized skills earned him a spot on the EMS strike team, answering the call to provide critical medical relief in areas hard-hit by major disasters.
"We would train and drill regularly, and had huge tents we could set up as a mobile hospital. We got a chance to make a difference in New Jersey in 2011 and again in 2012, after Hurricanes Irene and then Sandy struck the area." The crew would work one week at a time, with 12-hour shifts each day.
In 2015, the strike team was again sent out to Philadelphia for a few days along with many other units, to help out at the World Meeting of Families, a gathering organized by the Catholic Church since 1994, which highlights the profound meaning of family relationships. Since the event was designated as a National Special Security event with over 1.5 million visitors from over 100 countries, including Pope Francis, a state-wide call for 500 volunteer emergency medical personnel was issued.
In addition, Hettenbaugh served as the supervisor for the Warren and Kane groups for nearly 13 years. A journey that began by joining a local fire department turned into a 50 year career that he truly enjoyed.
In the short amount of time since his retirement party, Hettenbaugh has already enjoyed more traveling alongside grilling, and wine making. Other hobbies include gardening and spoiling his three labradors.
He added, "I hope I helped to make a difference.It is time for the next group to take over. A big thanks goes to all of those who helped along the way, the many EMTS, paramedics, and nurses, some who have retired, some who continue to do such an important job."