Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Paramedic of the Year - Captain Doug Hutchinson

Captain Hutchinson began his service in 1972 before there was an organized County emergency medical service provider. He worked as an advanced first aider and then an EMT for a contract ambulance service in Hillsborough County.

In 1974, when the county started providing Emergency Medical Services, Captain Hutchinson transitioned to the role of Emergency Medical Technician. Doug was among the County’s first certified paramedics when the County began providing this service in 1977.  This made Captain Hutchinson and few other paramedics’ true pioneers in pre hospital care.

Throughout his career has mentored many of the department’s paramedics, including some who now leaders within Fire Rescue. As a Field Training Officer, Doug was instrumental in developing and implementing medical protocol which has proven many times to increase patient survival rates.

20 years later, in 1997, Hillsborough County EMS merged with the Hillsborough County Fire Department. He embraced this merger and became one of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue’s first Rescue Captains.

It is for these reasons and many more Captain Douglass Hutchinson was selected as Hillsborough County Fire Rescue’s Paramedic of The Year.

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