Leslie Hazzon of the East Windsor Rescue Squad, District I reflects on her 13 years of service.
By: Dana Lynn Flatekval
EAST WINDSOR When Leslie Hazzon, a member of the East Windsor Rescue Squad, District I, arrived on the scene of a choking incident in February she knew it was not the type of case she was used to seeing.
Ms. Hazzon of Woodland Drive said 99 out of 100 times when choking occurs there is coughing and talking. In this case, however, the patient was gray and unresponsive. When she arrived, the Heimlich maneuver was being performed. Ms. Hazzon put on gloves and quickly took over, laying the woman on her back and performing abdominal thrusts.
She radioed to the station to have another crew come. Just as help arrived, the woman took a breath and started to come around.
"Certain calls such as these seem to stand out more than others," Ms. Hazzon said.
With a bright smile, Ms. Hazzon recounted the most rewarding moments for her during her 13 years with the East Windsor Rescue Squad.
"I have done everything I have set out to do," Ms. Hazzon said. "I have performed CPR and the woman walked out of the hospital and have helped deliver a baby, which was the most wonderful thing in the world.
"I was up most of the night because of the adrenaline rush."
Ms. Hazzon’s volunteer work with the East Windsor Rescue Squad, District I, began because she wanted to learn CPR. She had no previous experience volunteering as an EMT.
"It is very addictive," Ms. Hazzon said. "It is something that grows on you. You either like it or hate it."
The most difficult part of being a volunteer EMT is that personal feelings can’t be involved.
"I’ve been on well over a thousand calls within the first four years of my volunteer work on the squad," Ms. Hazzon said.
Ms. Hazzon said everyone has a type of call that they can associate with and one particular one will "hit home for them." During the first six months that Ms. Hazzon was a member of the squad, there were five fatal car accidents. She was called to three of the five crashes.
"Whether there is a child involved in an accident or there is an abuse case, you have to be able to put personal feelings aside and just do your job," Ms. Hazzon said.
She said she does not work with the squad to receive glory. What makes it worthwhile, according to Ms. Hazzon, is to know that she made a difference and helped someone.
"I don’t do what I do to hear ‘thank you,’ but that is an extra bonus," Ms. Hazzon said.
She said repeatedly that she does not deserve all of the spotlight.
"We all work together," Ms. Hazzon said. "Camaraderie and teamwork on calls is the most important thing for us. It’s not just me who helps people, but a crew of us where everybody has a part to play."
Michael Quinn, chief of the East Windsor Rescue Squad, District I, remarked that Ms. Hazzon is "truly one of the best EMTs."
"She is a very dedicated person," Chief Quinn said. "Even after she had a kid, she still wanted to come back and ride. On any call she does a magnificent job."