SAINT MICHAEL’S FIRE AND RESCUE INC.
Colchester, Vermont 05439
STRATEGIC PLAN
I.
History of Department
II.
Charter, Founding and Honorary Members
III.
MISSION STATEMENT
IV.
Preamble of the Constitution
V.
Strategic Plan Process and Report
VI.
STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
VII.
Implementation Plan
VIII.
Acknowledgements
I.
HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT
Saint Michael’s Fire and Rescue, as it was originally called, was found in 1969 and approved to operate under the authorities of Saint Michael’s College. The college president Dr. Bernard L. Boutin was a Charter member. The organization was established to meet a perceived need for increased emergency medical coverage on campus and in the immediate area. The development of a fire response unit was seen as an enhancement to service levels, a means to improve community relations, and another way for students to give back to the communities and learn valuable life skills through both units. The ambulance
(Rescue Unit) was placed into service first and the arrival of a 1957 Ward-
LaFrance Fire Truck began the service of the (Fire Unit).
The first ambulance call was recorded on December 19, 1969 and the first fire call was in April 1970. The group worked closely with the Winooski Fire
Department who at the time was the first responding agency on campus. After a number of years of service and in part because the college campus was actually located in the Town of Colchester, SMFR began working closely with the
Colchester Center Volunteer Fire Company Inc. On December 6, 1972 a formal agreement was signed between the two organizations defining the roles and responsibilities of each, and on October 2, 2004, the agreement was further defined by an up-to-date codification of the relationship between the two agencies.
The organization was funded by an appropriation from the College and aggressive fund raising by the students and college staff members who supported the program. Throughout the history of the department, fund raising has been the cornerstone of economic vitality of the organization. In April 2003, due to
Medicare regulations and the fact the department was providing primary ambulance response service to the City of Winooski, a billing system for ambulance transports was developed, with the same caveat that the organization

was founded upon being the primary objective: “to serve their fellow man in the best possible manner, preserving life, limb, and property”.
On October 23, 2003, to meet ever-changing regulations, laws, and business structures, the Department incorporated and now operates under a set of Bylaws governed by a Board of Directors. However, the department continues to be a student-run organization. On November 9, 2005, the department moved to the current location at 230 College Parkway where all operations and apparatus of the department are housed in a modern facility that meets the current and future needs of the students and the department. The facility is shared with the
College Dispatch Center and the Public Safety Office.
II.
CHARTER, FOUNDING AND HONORARY MEMBERS
A.
Founding Members;
Donald R. Sutton
Peter A. Maloska
Thomas F. Powers, III
1971
1970
B.
Charter Members;
Anderson, Moses, S.S.E. 1954
Ashline, Robert
Boutin, Bernard
Chmielewski, Michael
1945
1972
Cooney, Robert
Cross, Anthony
Devlin, Robert
Evans, Damien
Guilmain, Ernest
1973
1973
Hoar, Thomas, S.S.E. 1973
Hornat, Stephen, S.S.E. 1972
LaBelle, Peter 1971
Loyack, Michael
Madonna, Edward
Maloska, Peter
Mazur, William
Neuert, Willard
Powers, Thomas
Sennett, James
Sutton, Donald
Thompson, William
Toaldo, Philip
1973
1971
1960
1974
1970
1972
1972
C.
Honorary Members;
Anne Whitmore Hansen

Leonard Robear
Clifford Sanderson
Archie Myers
Edward Couturier
Tom Ryan
Ernie Guilmain
Robert Minetti
Thomas Jennings
Anne Marie Leggett
Edmund Stowe
J. Bradley Wainer
Fran & Mary Ritz
Susan Ritz
John Gutman
Timothy Pedrotty
Brian Jordan
Marc vanderHeyden
Charlene Roberge
Pamela Dumas
Robert Sutton
Michael Samara
III.
MISSION STATEMENT
Saint Michael’s Fire and Rescue is dedicated to providing the highest quality professional fire and emergency medical services and education for the campus and communities which we serve.. Through its active promotion of volunteerism,
Saint Michael’s Fire and Rescue encourages the positive personal and professional growth of all its members while meeting essential community needs.
Saint Michael’s Fire and Rescue is proudly staffed and managed by members of the Saint Michael’s College community.
IV.
PREAMBLE OF THE CONSTITUTION
Whereas, proper rules are essential and necessary for the preservation of good order and conduct in all well-regulated organizations, let it be resolved that we, the members of Saint Michael’s Fire Department and Rescue, in order to define duty, establish discipline, and maintain unity, thereby more fully promoting the objectives for which we are associated, do ordain and adopt the following
Constitution for our mutual regulation and government.
Article I. Name and Purpose

Section I. This organization shall be known as Saint Michael’s Fire Department
Rescue, Inc. The organization was established in 1969 as Saint Michael’s Fire
Department and was incorporated on October 23, 2003. It shall consist of a fire unit and a rescue unit, and shall be governed by the following Constitution.
Section II. The Department and its members shall have as their primary objective at all times to serve their fellow man in the best possible manner, preserving life, limb, and property.
V.
STRATEGIC PLAN PROCESS
December 2010-- Board of Directors initiates project.
April 2011-- professional facilitator meets with three groups representing the organization, and each develops 3 top priorities. The same month a report consolidating the findings is issued to the Department.
May 2011-- Chair of the Board of Directors appoints a Strategic Plan Committee comprised of students, alumni, and board members.
August 21, 2011-- Initial committee meets on campus, and drafted a proposed plan for further review and consideration. Throughout the following months revisions and drafts were developed and furthered toward the goal of a Strategic
Plan.
March 31, 2012--Final draft completed after being review by all committees.
December 1, 2012—Stragetic Plan adopted by the board of Directors.
VI.
STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
A.
Develop the role of Paramedic level care for the organization
1.
Determine what that care level is?
2.
Study the requirements to practice the level of care.
3.
Study the methods to achieve that level of care.
4.
Determine if SMFR can provide the level of care.
5.
Make a recommendation for implementation
B.
Continue the organization’s long-standing commitment to professionalism and excellence in training through an-ongoing review of both long and short-term methods to maintain the highest standards
1.
Annual self-assessments by the student membership
2.
Biennial assessments by the Board of Directors

3.
Periodic review, revision and validation of Operational Guidelines.
4.
Seek nationally recognized accreditations in each discipline.
5.
Achieve academic credit for professional certifications.
C.
Strengthen relationships of the Department
1.
Within units
2.
With alumni
3.
With staff
4.
With faculty and administration
5.
With partners
6.
With students
7.
With community
VII.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN
The Strategic Plan will be approved by the Board of Directors following review and acceptance by the student members, the alumni advisory members and the strategic plan committee. Upon passage the board, the Chief and Officers of the department will be responsible for advancing the goals of the plan within the department, and will report quarterly to the board on the progress. Additionally the Chief and Officers will ensure that the on-going reviews and evaluation of department processes and guidelines is accomplished to enhance the quality of service and to achieve the goals of the Strategic Plan. A review of the Plan should be accomplished in fiscal year 2015
VIII.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We are most grateful to Grace Andrews of Ignite for her professional services and guidance during this project, her keen understanding of organizational relationships, and goal-setting processes gave us the inspiration to reach our goal of developing a comprehensive plan.
A sincere thanks to the student members, Thomas Beaudoin, Chris Bussiere,
James McLaughlin, and Terese K. Peterka for representing the membership of the department. To alumni members Matthew Jordan, Leslie Lindquist and
Paul Yellen for their seasoned input to the process, and to the Board of
Director’s Representatives Michael Samara and Tom Powers thanks for your guidance in the process.
December 1, 2012