First responders recognized
Deputy Mayor Knight reads proclamation at City Hall
Deputy Mayor Gary Knight read a proclamation during a short ceremony at Yuma City Hall Thursday evening, dedicating May 20-26 as National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week in Yuma.
In the proclamation, Knight expressed his appreciation on behalf of the city to all the men and women who provide prehospital 911 emergency medical care to residents every hour of every day.
Also, as part of the ceremony, Fire Captain Erik Lohman was recognized as Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) of the Year, while firefighter James Chavez was named Paramedic of the Year. Jose Zavala was also chosen as the Emergency Medical Dispatcher of the Year.
Representing the Yuma Fire Department for these presentations was Chief Steve Irr. Knight, City Administrator Greg Wilkinson, and EMS Battalion Chief Daniel Ott assisted.
As a captain with more than 20 years of experience, Lohman could take on fewer patient care duties, but according to his recognition form, he chooses to lead by example and there are few EMTs in the department as dedicated, diligent and enthusiastic as he is.
“Captain Lohman is an EMT who leads from the front, always providing excellent customer service and really truly enhancing the care given by the paramedics in the crew,” the form read. “Words cannot express how important it is to see an EMT provide such amazing care. Captain Lohman makes any crew he is a part of better.”
Although Chavez is one of the youngest paramedics in the Yuma Fire Department, he was chosen as Paramedic of the Year because he has consistently improved his skills and is an enthusiastic and professional paramedic, volunteering for special assignments and always having a positive attitude.
One example cited is when his unit received a call about a vehicle vs. house traffic crash. His unit was first on scene, he established command and triaged three patients before the next due unit arrived.
“His motivation and dedication are exemplary,” his recognition form included. “He ensures all his patients are treated in a prompt and efficient manner.”
With the lowest average call processing times for Fire/EMS calls at 44 seconds, Zavala was the top choice for the Yuma Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) of the Year.
Between April 2017 and April 2018, Zavala answered over 16,000 phone calls, entering almost 7,400 total calls for service -- 1,400 of which were Fire/EMS calls.
This is the highest phone call volume of all of the dispatchers for an entire year. It was also noted that Zavala has consistently scored in the high 90s for his monthly quality assurance reviews and exceeded the expectations for the program and that he is always willing to help when asked.
“Throughout the year Jose has been recognized by his co-workers for his contributions and teamwork during large incidents including the Mesa Heights fire, an incident involving a pursuit, assault on an officer, a vehicle running into a house, a homicide, and multiple calls requiring CPR instructions,” his recognition form stated.
Special recognition was given to eight high school seniors for completing the COOP program. They were Leonel Anaya (KHS), Yesenia Lizzaraga (KHS), Cory Moorehead (CHS), Brian Morones (CHS), Alexis Ulloa (GRHS), and Christopher Valdez (GRHS).
In addition, Leonel Anaya (who took state honors in the Arizona National Skills USA competition and will go on to Nationals in Louisville, KY) was named “CO-OP of the Year.”
Other recognitions included awards for YFD personnel who delivered babies, a donation of veterinary oxygen masks by Desert Veterinary Clinic, completions of Hazardous Materials Technician and Paramedic Certifications, and recent promotions.