This week’s Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Southpoint, is Matthew Mauzy from the South Orange Rescue Squad.

Mauzy is UNC’s emergency response technology manager, but he is being recognized for his work with the Rescue Squad. The South Orange Rescue Squad (SORS) is an all-volunteer organization has helped to save countless lives.

“[Mauzy] began service with the South Orange Rescue Squad in 1996,” said former Chapel Hill fire chief Matt Sullivan. “He’s been chief since 2004. Under his leadership it has evolved as a group of great community volunteers.”

Mauzy has earned many awards for his service over the years, including the Bryan Award for Public Service from UNC. But it’s not the awards that matter, it’s the impact that he and his team have had through the years.

“The South Orange Rescue Squad is in its 49th year of serving our community,” Sullivan said. “It provides three main functions: EMS service, community education outreach around CPR, then finally they provide some swift water and technical rescue.

“So when Chapel Hill floods, SORS come out and support our other responders. This organization, when I started, was heavily involved in my training and continues to do so. They’re sort of a hidden gem in the community.”

Sullivan one of the things that SORS did for first responders was to provide rehabilitation, such as cooling stations and water.

For more information on the South Orange Rescue Squad, visit their website.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
Photo Gallery: The 2023 Hometown Heroes Luncheon
Each week, 97.9 The Hill WCHL celebrates a Hometown Hero for the work they do — big and small — to help others in our community. On February 4, the Hometown Heroes nominated from 2022 gathered for a special luncheon to continue celebrating their altruism and efforts. The event was held at the Blue Hill […]
South Orange Rescue Squad Celebrates 50th Anniversary
The South Orange Rescue Squad celebrated a half-century of emergency medical and rescue service to communities and neighborhoods throughout Orange County last weekend. 2022 actually marks the service’s 51st anniversary, but last year’s 50th anniversary celebration with the public was postponed due to the pandemic. “It’s hard to believe that we’ve been around for 51 […]
Hometown Hero: Fred Stipe
This week’s Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Southpoint, is Fred Stipe. Stipe, a long-time Chapel Hill resident, is the board chair of the South Orange Rescue Squad. Having been a member since 1997, he’s helped lead the volunteer EMS group through its 30th, 40th and now 50th anniversaries. Stipe is the President for Show Pros Event […]
On Air Today: Matthew Mauzy and Fred Stipe of South Orange Rescue Squad
Matthew Mauzy and Fred Stipe of the South Orange Rescue Squad join 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell ahead of the group's 50th Anniversary Open House on Saturday!
Donated Ambulance Boosts EMT Class at Chapel Hill High
David Stossmiester is the EMT teacher at Chapel Hill High School. He teaches high school students how to become first responders. He is showing off the program’s newest piece of equipment — a full-sized, recently retired ambulance. He opens the back and says, “We’ve got a bunch of road cones in there right […]
Hometown Hero: Meg McGurk from the Town of Chapel Hill
This week’s Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Southpoint, is Meg McGurk from the Town of Chapel Hill. McGurk has served as the town’s community safety planner since 2018 and has been essential in Chapel Hill’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, she’s served as planning section chief and manager of emergency operations. “Meg has […]
Hometown Hero: Brian Link from East Chapel Hill High School
This week’s Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Southpoint, is Brian Link from East Chapel Hill High School — who was recently named the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools’ Teacher of the Year. The award is the highest honor given to a CHCCS educator by the school district. Link is a social studies teacher at East Chapel […]
Orange County First Responders Group Celebrates 50 Years of Service
Since 1971, the South Orange Rescue Squad has provided specialized emergency and medical services to Orange County and beyond. The rescue squad marks 50 years of service this week. 
Hometown Hero: Kelly Drayton from the Town of Chapel Hill
This week’s Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Southpoint, is Kelly Drayton — the emergency management coordinator for the Town of Chapel Hill. During the pandemic, Drayton also took over as the manager for the emergency operation center within the town. “She has led the charge for the emergency operation center that began with opening up […]
Hometown Hero: Zoe Dehmer from Carrboro United
This week’s Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Southpoint, is Zoe Dehmer — a co-founder of Carrboro United. Carrboro United is a local food hub that launched at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic that has since helped dozens of local restaurants and food providers and hundreds of people in the local community who make their […]
›