BY DONNA SWICEGOOD
From rookies to those with more than two decades of service, Iredell County Emergency Medical Services paid tribute to its own Wednesday night.
Iredell EMS Director Eric Morrison said the evening at the Statesville Civic Center was an opportunity to say thank you.
“We recognize the work you guys do throughout the year,” he said.
Iredell County Board of Commissioners Chair Bert Connelly, Vice Chair Melissa Neader and Commissioner Gene Houpe also expressed their appreciation.
Houpe said the commissioners looking to thank EMS personnel in a tangible way with pay raises and hiring more people to do the job. “It’s not what you deserve but it’s what we can afford,” he said.
Guest speaker James Caldwell of N.C. Office of Emergency Medical Services said being a first responder is at times a thankless job. “You love it and you hate it,” he said.
But, he said, those in EMS keep coming back because what they do is more than just a job — it’s a passion.
“It’s a passion to help people,” he said.
Awards
The awards presented include the following:
♦ Cardiac Call – Alexandra Haglan, Christopher Reed, Dawn Toohey, Jason Little, Jonah Blackburn, James Walker, Joshua Fussell, Kaitlyn Kesler, Kim Meyer, Matthew Franklin, Michael Koehler, Michele Connelly, Trista Byers, and Wes Hardin
♦ Child Birth – Aaron Combs, Amy Bednarik, and Mackenzie Ervin
♦ Life Saver – Alexandra Haglan, Alexis Finney, Amanda Wallace, Bradley Consalvo, Brandy Mitchell, Brandy Rikard, Cameron Paige, Carlos Pana-Magos, Danielle Ortiz, Dedra Chapman, Ethan Price, William Shore, Jamie Rambo, Jonah Blackburn, Joseph Casstevens, Joshua Fussell, Justin Hill, Kim Meyer, Matthew Franklin, Patrick Lowe, Paul Clendenning, Rachel Boyd, William Lenderman, and Wes Hardin
♦ Major Call – Dedra Chapman, Ellen Russell, Erin Benge, Jonah Blackburn, Lacey Grant, Michele Connelly, and Wes Hardin
♦ Trauma Call – Dedra Chapman, Jonah Blackburn, Lacey Grant, Michele Connely, and Wes Hardin
♦ First Responder Recognition – Chief Josh Waton, Troiutman Police Department
♦ Civilian – Debbie Jakielski
♦ Top Notes – Adam Kilby, Alexandra Haglan, Aylissa Armstrong, Bradley Consalvo, Candace Giannini, Claretta Walker, David Parker, Jared DiPierro, Jason Little, Joseph Casstevens, Kim Meyer, Krysten Turner, Matthew Franklin, Nicole Rochester, Patrick Lowe, Patrick Pariso, and Ryan Brown
♦ ECOM Telecommunicator of the Year – Kate McPeak
♦ EMS Employee of the Year – Frank Durant
♦ EMS Officer of the Year – Jonah Blackburn
♦ Apprentice of the Year – Timothy Barber
♦ Rookies of the Year – Cory McInnis, Hannah WIng, Kayla Hefner, Michaela Barbaran, and Summer Kivett
♦ Appreciation Awards – Nathan Morrison, 12 years; Dawn Toohey, 19 years; Timothy Martlock, 23 years; and Dan Paulson, 28 years
♦ Years of Service – 25 years: James Walker; 20 years: Joshua Fussell; 10 years: Brian Emory, Patrick Pariso, and Sheri Hager; 5 years: Aaron Combs, Charles Jolly, Emily Bellis, Joseph Casstevens, Justin Hill, Laurel Julian, Ryan Brown, and Victoria Murdock
♦ Apprenticeship – Those completing the apprenticeship program and obtaining their paramedic certification are Timothy Barber, Erin Benge, Olivia Blankenship, Lauren Fetherbay, Haley Jones, Makenna Hall, Noah Killian and Hannah Lodge,
Photos
