So Much to Learn, So Many Ways to Serve
Meet South Branch Emergency Services Volunteer EMT and Rescue Associate Tyler Klutkowski
An older woman was at a local business when she suddenly felt unwell. Tyler, a volunteer South Branch Emergency Services EMT and Rescue Associate, responded to the call for help.
He had only recently obtained his EMT certification, but Tyler used the health assessment techniques he had learned and, together with his partner on the ambulance that day, determined that the woman’s symptoms pointed to a possible stroke. They knew their patient needed to go to the hospital, but at first, she wasn’t so sure.
“She was sitting in a chair, so I got down to her eye level so she would feel more comfortable,” Tyler remembered. “My partner and I were able to use our communication skills to explain to her and her daughter, who we talked to by phone, what was happening and why we wanted the woman to go to the hospital for further evaluation. We were able to convince the patient.”
While Tyler, 27, served his first SBES volunteer shift in April, he brought more than a decade of volunteer fire and EMS experience with him. For as long as he can remember, Tyler has wanted to be a first responder. He was inspired in part by his Uncle Wally, a haz-mat clean up specialist who played a critical role in the cleanup of the Exon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon oil spills.
At 16, Tyler volunteered with his hometown first aid squad, Cranford First Aid Squad, as a cadet. He drove their ambulance for two years. At age 18, he became a certified firefighter and until recently volunteered with Kenilworth Fire and Rescue Squad, driving both the ambulance and fire apparatus.
Last year, the man who inspired Tyler was diagnosed with cancer and passed away. Before his Uncle Wally died, Tyler promised him he would pursue his goal to become an EMT. He achieved EMS certification in February of 2023 and in April, began volunteering with SBES.
Two things drew Tyler to South Branch: The SBES training center allowed him to learn a host of emergency medical and rescue techniques, and by volunteering with SBES, he could use many of his current skills and those he will acquire all with one single organization.
Because the SBES service area includes Round Valley Reservoir and several large highways, the squad responds to a wide variety of calls and Tyler aims to be prepared to offer whatever type of aid is needed. “I’m certified as a water rescue tech, and I’m signed up for courses to become certified in other disciplines over the coming year: Vehicle rescue, structural collapse, confined space, trench rescue and rope rescue,” he said. “I like that I can apply my experience in the rescue side of things along with my EMT skills all with the same agency.”
Tyler usually serves three to four volunteer shifts per week. “The people there are incredible,” he said of SBES. “Whether they are career or volunteer members, they are always willing to give you an extra hand when you are learning something new. I don’t think I’ve ever met a friendlier group of people and I feel I’ve already made some lifelong friends in the short time that I’ve been here.”
When he isn’t volunteering, Tyler enjoys spending time with his fiance, Lisa, and family and friends. He enjoys the outdoors, including fishing, hiking and sports, and said a fun fact about himself is that he was adopted from Lithuania at age one. Tyler works part-time as a landscaper, but his focus is on becoming a career firefighter or EMT, but Tyler said he will always find a way to volunteer. “Volunteering is where I got my start and it means too much to me to ever give it up.”
He thinks back to helping the woman at the store, how thankful she was, and how pleased her daughter was that SBES was able to convince her mom to seek further treatment. “When somebody calls us, they are often having essentially the worst day of their life,” Tyler said. “Showing them that you care is what makes the biggest difference.”
He had only recently obtained his EMT certification, but Tyler used the health assessment techniques he had learned and, together with his partner on the ambulance that day, determined that the woman’s symptoms pointed to a possible stroke. They knew their patient needed to go to the hospital, but at first, she wasn’t so sure.
“She was sitting in a chair, so I got down to her eye level so she would feel more comfortable,” Tyler remembered. “My partner and I were able to use our communication skills to explain to her and her daughter, who we talked to by phone, what was happening and why we wanted the woman to go to the hospital for further evaluation. We were able to convince the patient.”
While Tyler, 27, served his first SBES volunteer shift in April, he brought more than a decade of volunteer fire and EMS experience with him. For as long as he can remember, Tyler has wanted to be a first responder. He was inspired in part by his Uncle Wally, a haz-mat clean up specialist who played a critical role in the cleanup of the Exon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon oil spills.
At 16, Tyler volunteered with his hometown first aid squad, Cranford First Aid Squad, as a cadet. He drove their ambulance for two years. At age 18, he became a certified firefighter and until recently volunteered with Kenilworth Fire and Rescue Squad, driving both the ambulance and fire apparatus.
Last year, the man who inspired Tyler was diagnosed with cancer and passed away. Before his Uncle Wally died, Tyler promised him he would pursue his goal to become an EMT. He achieved EMS certification in February of 2023 and in April, began volunteering with SBES.
Two things drew Tyler to South Branch: The SBES training center allowed him to learn a host of emergency medical and rescue techniques, and by volunteering with SBES, he could use many of his current skills and those he will acquire all with one single organization.
Because the SBES service area includes Round Valley Reservoir and several large highways, the squad responds to a wide variety of calls and Tyler aims to be prepared to offer whatever type of aid is needed. “I’m certified as a water rescue tech, and I’m signed up for courses to become certified in other disciplines over the coming year: Vehicle rescue, structural collapse, confined space, trench rescue and rope rescue,” he said. “I like that I can apply my experience in the rescue side of things along with my EMT skills all with the same agency.”
Tyler usually serves three to four volunteer shifts per week. “The people there are incredible,” he said of SBES. “Whether they are career or volunteer members, they are always willing to give you an extra hand when you are learning something new. I don’t think I’ve ever met a friendlier group of people and I feel I’ve already made some lifelong friends in the short time that I’ve been here.”
When he isn’t volunteering, Tyler enjoys spending time with his fiance, Lisa, and family and friends. He enjoys the outdoors, including fishing, hiking and sports, and said a fun fact about himself is that he was adopted from Lithuania at age one. Tyler works part-time as a landscaper, but his focus is on becoming a career firefighter or EMT, but Tyler said he will always find a way to volunteer. “Volunteering is where I got my start and it means too much to me to ever give it up.”
He thinks back to helping the woman at the store, how thankful she was, and how pleased her daughter was that SBES was able to convince her mom to seek further treatment. “When somebody calls us, they are often having essentially the worst day of their life,” Tyler said. “Showing them that you care is what makes the biggest difference.”