NorthStar :: Bike Team

NorthStar Bike Medic Team

The NorthStar Bike Medic Team is a key part of NorthStar's system. Formed in 2003, the Team grew to about 15 regular members under the former leadership of Blaine Rackliff, EMT-I. Now led by Carl Blondell , W-NREMT-P, the Bike Team is fully equiped with state of the art bicycles and supplies to carry high quality medical care into the field, the Team shines at community festivals, bike events, and where ever a team of EMTs need to be in the middle of a crowd. The Team also brings its message of bike safety and fun to elemetary school classes and school bike teams as well as hosting Bike Rodeos in several towns in the area. Read about the team members below and note their experience and personal messages. Arrayed in their safety green uniforms, you'll agree that this team is one of the best bike teams in the state... Ready, responsive and reliable for any situation.

Bike Team, April 25, 2006

Who we are...

Below is a short synopsis about each of our Bike Team members.
Each member also offers a one sentence bicycle safety message and a one sentence personal message.

Carl Blondell, W-NREMT-P
Bike Team Leader

Born in MA, grew up in Needham, MA, Left for college at UMO, graduated with a BSME (Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering)
Worked in the computer field for 23 years (large IBM Main Frames)
Took a year off & traveled the Continental US, Western Canada, Alaska, settling in Vail CO as a ski bum for the winter
Ended up spending 2 years in Vail, 2nd year installing a computer system for Vail Associated.

Raft guide for two summers on the rivers in CO, UT, WY, Alaska
Raft guide in Maine (2 years) Dead River, Kennebec River, Penobscott River

Came back to Portland area and worked for Maine National Bank, SD Warren as a systems programmer
Decided to drop out of the corporate world & moved to Rangeley
Was a ski bum for 2 years, also carpenter, computer consultant

Teacher's Certificate (Computer Science, Technology Arts)
Associates Degree - Paramedicine (Southern Maine Community College)

I took my first EMT-B class in 1974 - no ambulance affiliation
Second EMT-B in 1981, with several refreshers - worked for York County Wilderness Rescue
Third EMT-B in 1996, EMT-I in 2000, EMT-P in 2004
Started working for Rangeley Ambulance in 1996 then onto FMH onto NorthStar
Employee of the Year - Rangeley Base 2002, NorthStar System 2006
Bike Team - 2005, 2006
Ski Patroller (26 years) Certified patroller - National Ski Patrol, PSPA (Professional Ski Patrollers Association) certified

Message: Have fun while biking, be aware of yourself and those around you.
Quote: "Have fun with life - you are the master of your destiny."

Blaine Rackliff, EMT-I

Hello! My name is Blaine Rackliff. I was born in Farmington, Maine and grew up in East Dixfield, Maine. I graduated from Dirigo High School in Dixfield, Maine in 1995. In 1996 I joined the United States Air Force as a FireFighter/EMT. I spent four years stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Mountain Home, Idaho. 120 of those days were spent at Shaikh Isa Airbase in the desert of Bahrain.

In 2000 I was honorably discharged from the Air Force and moved back to East Dixfield, Maine. I then attended the Maine Criminal Justice Academy and joined the Jay, Dixfield, and Wilton Police Departments as a part-time Police Officer. In 2001 I was hired full-time by LifeStar Ambulance as an EMT-Basic. In 2003 I became certified as an EMT-Intermediate.

In 2003 I was asked to direct the NorthStar Bike Medic Team. At that time the team consisted of approximately eight bike medics. The team has now doubled and so have the number of events that we cover each year. In 2006 we taught nine bicycle safety classes and covered sixteen events throughout our communities. 2007 will be my fifth year on the NorthStar Bike Medic Team and my seventh year working for Franklin Memorial Hospital.

Message: Your bicycle is not a toy, it is your first vehicle. Treat it as such.
Quote: "The truth is you will fail in life. The important thing is that you learn from your mistakes."

Randall Gordon, NREMT-P
Wilton, ME
B.S. Marine Engineering
Paramedic from KVTC
Bike medic 2 years
Medic since 2003
EMT-B 2000
Original License May 14, 1974 for AMPS Ambulance
Outside sports
Message & Quote: "Always wear your safety gear and always ride within your capabilities."

Ben Guild, WEMT-B
Born in Lewiston in 1988, grew up in Industry, soon to be attending college at Southern Maine Community College for Paramedicine.
Full time AmeriCorps volunteer at NorthStar Phillips Base, also a PRN for NorthStar.
Attended first EMT class in 2005 at Foster Tech Center, with Carol Pillsbury as lead instructor.
Attended WEMT class in 2007 with Dennis Kerrigan as the lead instructor.
A member of Industry Firefighter for four years, also a member of Strong Fire Department for one year.
Member of the NorthStar Backcountry Medical Response team and a member of the NorthStar Bike Medic Team.
Enjoys hiking, biking, fishing, anything outdoors.
Message: Have fun while biking, but wear the proper gear.
Quote: "Shoot for the moon, even if you miss you will end up in the stars."

Jeremy O'Neil, W-NREMT-P

Jeremy resides in Phillips, Maine with his spouse and 2 children. He is a full-time employee of Northstar on the 61 truck based in beautiful, scenic Rangeley.

Vermont was the first state Jeremy recieved certification to treat pre-hospital patients during the fall of 1988. He has maintained EMS certification continuously since then and worked in Massachusetts, Pennsylvannia, Vermont and Maine. After paramedic certification in 1996 at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts; patient access at mass gathering events became a significant concern in his service to the public. Jeremy began his bicycle response activities at the "BIG E", the eastern states exposition in West Springfield, Massachussetts. From that immersion in pedaling medicine, he has covered street fairs, concerts, parades, rallys, county fairs, sports tournaments, marathons, races and many other events that draw thousands of spectators and participants.

Accomplishments include creating a small bike medic response team for a rural Vermont ambulance service that provides medical coverage for an extensive summer parade and the Caledonia County Fair. Jeremy also survived a week in Nevada's Black Rock Desert pedaling his bike as ranger medic for the annual Burning Man festival. Locally, he organizes a bicycle safety rodeo for the school children of Rangeley teaching safe riding skills and proper helmet use.

Jeremy is looking forward to his fourth year of service on the Bike Medic Team and considers himself fortunate to ride "wing man" with dedicated teammates.

Message: Watch out for car doors and the preoccupied pedestrians.
Quote: "...my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we..." ~Yoda, Jedi Master

Gini Swan, WEMT-I

Graduated High school in 1980, was married in 1981, first son born in 1984 and second son in 1994. Married in 2006 to Jeffrey Swan.
In 1996 I first joined the world of EMS as a Basic working at Medcare Ambulance then joining Lifestar in 2002 full time now known as NorthStar and became an Intermediate in 2006. Thank you Carol!!
I have been on the Northstar Medic Bike team going on 6 years now. Before joining the team I rode alot on my own mainly on the road but some minor riding on old back country roads around my home. I rode for fun and fitness, and for family time with my two boys.
I have an Associates degree in Business administration at UMA in 1987. Owned and operated my licensed daycare for 3 years late 80's early 90's.
Proud to be one of the few select Maine EMS Honor Guards for 5 years under the leadership of Ron Morin.
IPMBA certified cyclist 1 year
All in a years time I became newly married, have an extended family with a step son and daughter, became an Intermediate, new home, became wilderness certified, and soon to have the most wounderful daughter in law Lila on (07-07-07)!!!
My greatest and proudest accomplishment is my life has been raising my two boys. I enjoy being a mom!!
My interests and hobbies are cooking, my flower gardens, landscaping,mt biking, hiking, riding my motorcycle, hunting and fishing, tinkering on my truck. Any time I can spend time with my family is the best part and the most enjoyable time in my life.

Message: wear your helmet ride safe and always look out for your self and your partner!!!
Quote: "Live life to your fullest enjoy each moment and learn from your mistakes, goodness knows we all make them learning from them is the important part. Live laugh love."

Abbie Davenport, WEMT-P

Sean Estabrook, EMT-P

Brett Roberts, EMT-P

Steve Smith, EMT-I

Ed Strapp, EMT-I

Date	2007 Bike Team Events	Location
May 11 - 0800-0900	Bike Safety Presentation, Cushing School	Wilton
May 20	Sugarloaf Marathon	Kingfield
May 20-27	EMS Memorial Bike Ride 2007 (NYC - Roanoke VA) Brochure	NYC/Washington DC/Roanoke VA
June 9	Bike Rodeo	Rangeley
July 3	Rangeley Fireworks, Parade, Bike Safety	Rangeley
July 14	North Jay Grange Day	North Jay
July 27	Strawberry Festival & Marathon	Farmington
July 29	Saddleback Concert Event	Sandy River/Rangeley
July 31 (5p-7p)	Healthy Community Coalition - Bike Safety Education	Community Garden/Stanley Building
Aug. 3 (4p-9p)	Wilton Blueberry Festival Road Race	Wilton
Aug. 4 (9a-1p)	Wilton Blueberry Festival Parade	Wilton
Aug. 10 (5p-7:30p)	Rail Trail Road Race	Farmington
Aug. 11 (note date change)(10a-3p)	Dummers Beach Campground Bike Rodeo	Weld
Aug. 17 (3p-7p)	Phillips Old Home Days Parade	Phillips
Aug. 18 (7:30a-1p)	Phillips Old Home Days Road Race, Bike Safety	Phillips
Aug. 25 (10a-10p)	Oquossoc Day & Dance	Oquossoc
Sept. 12 (am)	Bike Safety Class / Display	Central School, New Portland

(Click here for 2006 Events with a NorthStar Presence!)

(Click here for the 2006/2007 Annual Report)

Contact...

To schedule the Bike Team for an event or
to find out how you can be a part of this outstanding corps, contact:

Carl Blondell, W-NREMT-P
Bike Team Leader/Coordinator
(207) 592-1328 or cbski@verizon.net

Return to NorthStar Home Page