Gateway Junior Brandon Lanpher interns under the supervision of mentor Cate Santos at Hilltown Community Ambulance as he prepares for EMT certification
HUNTINGTON – At first glance, Brandon Lanpher might seem like the average high school kid from the hilltowns. But he very well might save your life some day.
Gateway junior Brandon Lanpher has been AHA (American Heart Association) certified and working with first responders for nearly a year. Lanpher’s work began with the Montgomery Fire Department, under Chief Stephen Frye. Now, he is interning with the Hilltown Community Ambulance, advised by Cate Santos under Service Director Angela Mulkerin.
This internship with Hilltown Community Ambulance has given Lanpher hands-on experience that he can apply to his future career in emergency medicine, which will include trauma assessments and initial treatment,such as controlling bleeding, administering oxygen, splinting broken bones, and transporting an ill or injured person to the hospital.
Lanpher hopes that this internship will give him a foot in the door into the field of emergency medicine. In January 2019, he will begin taking a Basic EMT course at Westfield State University that will advance his training in accordance with the Massachusetts Office of Emergency Medical Services standards. In March, he will test to become a Certified EMT and begin working in his chosen career field.
The Hilltown Community Ambulance Association is a non-profit organization that provides 24/7 emergency care to people in the surrounding hilltowns. Residents are advised to call 911 in an emergency situation; dispatchers will provide information and assistance over the phone while the ambulance is en route.
With the season of ski slopes and icy roads coming, Lanpher and the ambulance team stand by, prepared for all types of emergencies. While no one ever wants to need an ambulance, they are ready to help in any way that they can.
