EMS organizations, personnel are honored
Several Ulster County emergency medical services personnel and companies are honored for their dedication.
KINGSTON, N.Y. >> Several local emergency medical services personnel and companies were honored this week for their dedication in providing lifesaving services to the Ulster County community.
The awards were presented during a dinner on Wednesday. The award recipients included Basic Life Support Provider of the Year, Glen Pomerantz of Kerhonkson Accord Rescue; Advanced Life Support Provider of the Year, Lori Kay of the Woodstock Rescue Squad; EMS Agency of the Year, Olive First Aid Unit; Harriet C. Weber EMS Leadership award, Christopher Hyatt of the Kingston Fire Department and Mobile Life Support Services; and EMS Educator of Excellence, Chad Burkhart of Mobile Life Support Services.
Other award recipients were EMS Communications Specialist of the Year, Scott Anzalone, Ulster County Emergency Communications; Registered Nurse of Excellence, Robert Bertholf of Ellenville Regional Hospital; Registered Nurse of Excellence, Randi Smith of HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley; Physician of Excellence, Dan Miller of HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley; Advanced Practice Provider of Excellence, David Michaelson of Ellenville Regional Hospital; Excellence in EMS Quality and Safety, Richard Parrish of HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley; EMS Driver of the Year, Donald Van Nostrand, Kerhonkson Accord Rescue; and Ulster County Police Officer of the Year, the Ulster County Police Chiefs Association.
The week of May 21 was proclaimed as National Emergency Medical Services Week in Ulster County by county Executive Michael Hein. This year’s National EMS Week theme is “EMS STRONG: Always in Service.” The theme recognizes EMS providers and their constant service to communities through first response, treatment and transportation, prevention and intervention through community paramedicine and mobile integrated healthcare.
Steve Peterson, director of Ulster County Emergency Services, said the men and women who serve in the county’s emergency medical services responded to 26,643 calls for service in 2016.
For information on becoming a paramedic, emergency medical technician, or driver, call (845) 3317000 or click on the “EMS Week” banner at www.ulstercountyny.gov.