Welcome to the fourth installment of the Courier’s shout-out to Easton volunteers. This week we honor Carolyn Kearney, assistant chief of the Easton Volunteer Emergency Service.
Last week we spotlighted EMT Cristina DiPalma, preceded by Paco Acosta, EMS 2018 Volunteer of the Year and Victor Malindretos, president of the EMS Board of Trustees.
Kearney started her career in health care in 1973 when she graduated from Norwalk Hospital School of Nursing. Over the next 20 years, while raising her three children, she worked in both Norwalk Hospital and Park City Hospital, and also in several nursing homes.
“I became a school nurse in 1997 and have loved seeing the children grow to become young adults,” Kearney said. “I enjoy helping the students when they are not feeling well, and the nurse’s office has become a place where they feel they can just take a break from learning. I see the students from kindergarten to fifth grade, and we have developed a friendship.”
Kearney joined Easton EMS in 2003 to maintain her first aid skills and said she enjoys helping her fellow citizens when they are ill or injured.
“Because I have worked in the school for over 23 years I know a lot of people from town and I think it makes them feel better when they know the person taking care of them,” she said. “In 2010 I was appointed chief of the service which allowed me to work with several town officials along with the surrounding town EMS chiefs to help keep the service up to all of the latest information. I also teach CPR to the citizens of Easton and the town is designated as a HEART SAFE community.”
After serving for a number of years as chief, Kearney is now one of the services’s two assistant chiefs. Adam Goldstein is the other assistant chief.
In her time away from school and EMS Kearney enjoys spending time with three children and five grandchildren. She also enjoys reading, which helps her relax after a busy day at work, she said.
