First of the Next First Responders Explorer Program Celebrated for Training, Community Spirit, Emergency Services: Local Hero Honored

Ed Sutton got a surprising call last Sunday. Ed Sutton, who has served as an adult advisor since Mercy Flights Explorer Post 131 began in 1995, a local youth first responder and public safety program, has seen hundreds of youth come through training and many have grown into skilled medical providers as EMTs, paramedics, nurses, and doctors. Sutton “grew up in the fire department” and enjoyed a life-long career as an EMT.

The reason Sutton was surprised was that he and his crew were told to appear at Lone Pine School, and everyone knows that normally this is family day at the Sutton house. Ed’s son Tim is the motivation behind family day, and his story is intimately connected to Mercy Flights.

Fittingly, 27 years ago, Tim took youthful ideals and translated them into action. Tim, an Eagle Scout at the time, presented the Explorer Post program to Mercy Flights. Tim, a good athlete, student, and also a kidney transplant recipient at 11-years-old, became interested in becoming a paramedic at age 15. It was Ed – Tim’s dad, scout master and kidney donor — who also encouraged Mercy Flights leadership to try the Explorer program which started with six youth and grew to 12 after only 6 months. 

Tim Sutton started as an explorer and was hired by Mercy Flights to wash vehicles and planes and when he graduated from High School, he became an EMT and operations assistant responsible for stocking ambulances. Tim lost his life to kidney failure in 2000 and the Sutton family started a college scholarship fund at Mercy Flights in his name to help Explorers attend EMT & Paramedic School.  His legacy lives on as the program trains kids ages 14 to 20 on emergency medical procedures. Training includes ambulance and EMT ride-alongs, here and in Washington DC during the Boy Scout National Jamboree.

So, you can see this is a special day for the Suttons, one where typically they stay in and celebrate Tim. But, interestingly, Ed felt Tim would want him to go, and he got the biggest surprise ever. On this day, Senator Jeff Merkley gave an award to the Explorers and presented the Explorers with a flag flown over the United States Capitol, in recognition of their service and dedication to the community. 

To say Sutton was shocked is an understatement. “We didn’t know we’d get a celebration,” reminisced Sutton to me over coffee later. “It was a total surprise.” Sen. Jeff Merkley capped off a busy several weeks in Oregon, from the Hacienda event in Portland, to Town Hall meetings, which saw him visiting numerous state counties, including a stop at Lone Pine Elementary in Medford Oregon this last Sunday. The audience, more than 100, came prepared with good questions and a forward-looking attitude.

“Town halls have become a thing of the past,” said Merkley in his opening remarks. “They are still happening in Oregon because the Oregon Way is civil discourse.”Mercy Flights Explorer Program, is a fantastic local resource and got the attention it deserved from the U.S. Senator. “I get great joy out of working with these kids as they learn the skills and get hands-on experience that leads to careers,” said Sutton. “The Explorer Program provides a program to bring up the next generation of EMTs and paramedics, but it also provides community service,” says Sutton. Mercy Flights Explorers Post 131 is the official name of the group of students and instructors.

As just one example of community service and how the Explorers help out in dire situations, Sutton says over 760 hours were volunteered collectively at the Expo Fire Shelter until the American Red Cross arrived days after the Labor Day Almeda and Obenchain fires started. Many of these Explorers spent over 100 hours each volunteering at the Jackson County Expo, from assisting the comfort of the evacuees, to translating for the Latino community. In addition, volunteers set up a medical needs shelter, cubicles for the elderly and those in need, surveyed those arriving, contacted relatives, and helped those with insulin and other life-saving meds.

This is just one example of how the Explorers spring into action. Thus, a flag from D.C. has made it to the Valley to celebrate the next generation of safety professionals….something we will need more than ever going into the future. And let’s share gratitude for the selflessness and vision of Tim Sutton.