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HARTINGTON — When the pager went off at 2 a.m., when holidays were interrupted and when someone in town was having the worst day of their life, chances were good Carol Hamilton was the one stepping into the ambulance.
After 26½ years on the Hartington EMT squad, Hamilton’s long run of answering those calls has come to an end. Her resignation was accepted by the Hartington City Council on Monday, Jan. 12.
Hamilton earned her EMT license in 1999 and her paramedic license in 2004, putting her in position to provide advanced life support on ambulance calls. She spent two years attending paramedic classes and logging training hours, riding with departments in Columbus, Norfolk and Grand Island, along with time at a Norfolk hospital.
Hamilton said it took teamwork at home to balance training and family life while raising six children.
“My husband, Bob, he took on a lot to handle the home fires while I was gone,” Hamilton said. “It was a challenge, but we mastered it. We couldn’t have done it if we didn’t do it together.”
Hamilton said she originally planned to step down at the 25-year mark but was the only paramedic on the squad at the time. She chose to continue until Katelyn Fischer earned her paramedic license.
“If I'd have resigned before that, then the squad’s advanced life support license would have been forfeited, because there wouldn't have been any advanced life support providers on the squad,” Hamilton said. “So, I just kept going, because we worked really hard and really long to get the advanced life support license to begin with.”
Hamilton said the work often interrupted family time, and sleep and was not always easy, but it was deeply rewarding.
“It was a way to give to the community,” Hamilton said. “It was just a passion of mine, and I just stayed with it.”
She emphasized that success on calls depends on teamwork and humility.
“You have to think about the patients and your partners before you think about yourself,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton said mentoring new EMTs over the years has also been fulfilling, and she will miss the close-knit squad.
“You go through a lot together, and you depend on each other, and it leaves a lot of ties,” she said. “I’ll be friends with them forever, but it’s just different because you’re not with them anymore.”
Hartington Ambulance President Dirk Dailey said Hamilton has been a steady presence on both routine and critical calls.
“My family has personally been on both sides a number of times and it was always a relief to see her come along,” Dailey said. “Her caring voice and mother's touch that gave comfort to so many was at times the last face and voice others got to see and hear.”
Dailey said Hamilton’s dedication showed in the long hours she put in.
“I have been with her a number of times that we just got the ambulance backed into the garage early in the morning after a long run and the pagers go off again and Carol would just say, ‘let's go,’” he said. “She was excellent at realizing people's needs and concerns while also helping them keep their dignity and pride during the process.”
He described her as a leader and teacher who helped shape the squad.
“She was always giving tips and tricks to help us become better,” Dailey said. “She is part of the reason I became, have stayed, and have the skills needed to be an EMT.”
Dailey added that Hamilton had a calming presence, even in the most serious situations.
