Bennington, VT News
New Paramedic and EMT Join Regional Emergency Response Ranks
Paramedic Catherine Grieco and Emergency Medical Technician Leah Helgers have joined the regional emergency medical services team serving the Bennington area. Both responders are currently completing orientation before beginning active ambulance shifts with field training officers next week.
Last updated:
Our area emergency medical services team is expanding its ranks with the addition of two new frontline responders, bringing fresh medical expertise and dedicated support to local response efforts.
Paramedic Catherine Grieco and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Leah Helgers have officially joined the emergency medical crew as the service’s newest team members. Both providers are currently undergoing intensive orientation and preparation before stepping into active field response.
Onboarding and field training underway
The two new responders are spending this week immersed in the organization’s new hire academy. This foundational onboarding program ensures all incoming crew members are thoroughly prepared to uphold regional medical protocols and emergency response standards.
Beginning next week, Grieco and Helgers will transition directly to emergency response vehicles, working side by side with experienced field training officers (FTOs). The structured training process ensures a smooth integration into the fleet and daily call operations.
- New crew members: Paramedic Catherine Grieco and EMT Leah Helgers.
- Current phase: Intensive new hire academy training this week.
- Upcoming milestone: Active ambulance shifts beginning next week under the guidance of field training officers.
Why it matters here
Reliable emergency medical services remain the backbone of community health and safety across our towns, neighborhoods, and rural corridors. Having fully staffed, well-trained ambulance crews ensures that when urgent medical emergencies arise, qualified help is ready to respond without delay.
Emergency calls can range from sudden cardiac events and acute respiratory distress to motor vehicle collisions on regional roadways and traumatic injuries at home or work. Adding skilled personnel helps maintain vital shift coverage, supports manageable workloads for existing staff, and reinforces dependable emergency response capabilities across the region.
The critical roles of paramedics and EMTs
Paramedics and EMTs work collaboratively to deliver both basic and advanced life-saving care directly at the scene of an emergency and en route to receiving medical facilities.
As an EMT, Helgers provides foundational pre-hospital emergency care, including patient assessment, airway management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), bleeding control, and stabilization for traumatic injuries. EMTs serve as essential partners in managing complex scenes and ensuring safe, rapid transport.
As a paramedic, Grieco brings advanced life support (ALS) capabilities to the field. Paramedics possess specialized training to administer emergency medications, establish intravenous lines, interpret advanced cardiac monitoring rhythms, perform advanced airway procedures, and deliver complex interventions for critical patients before they reach an emergency department.
The importance of field training officers
The transition from classroom orientation to active field duty represents a critical step for all emergency medical professionals. Working directly alongside field training officers allows new hires to apply regional protocols in real-time response environments.
During field training, FTOs evaluate clinical decision-making, direct route familiarity, communication with dispatch centers, and crew coordination. This hands-on mentorship ensures that new providers deliver consistent, high-quality patient care across diverse and evolving emergency situations.
What to expect next
Residents across the community may soon see Grieco and Helgers responding on local ambulance units as they complete their field training rotations. Their arrival marks an important operational reinforcement for the team, strengthening the emergency medical safety net that local families rely on every day.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Related: Federal Abortion Ruling on Patient Health Sets Stage for High Court
See a typo? Report it here.
