Hometown Hero: Matthew Mauzy from the South Orange Rescue Squad

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.

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