MR 09-01 January 16, 2009 [Blades-DE] - The Nanticoke Rotary Club recently honored several Sussex County Paramedics for their service to the community during a ceremony at the Nanticoke River Yacht Club in Blades, Delaware. These paramedics, selected by their supervisors, include Paula Moore, Ronnie Johnson, Kirk Miller, and John Haynie.
Paula Moore became a Paramedic with Sussex County EMS in 2005 through the student program at Delaware Technical and Community College. Paula is part of our Public Information and Education Relations (PIER) team that instructs students and members of the community about safety, injury prevention, and life as a Paramedic. According to her supervisor, Paula “shows a deep caring and concern for her patients, delivering as our motto relates, Caring People, Quality Service.” Moore also volunteers in her community with the Blades Fire Company, where she has been a member for the past eleven years. During her tenure with the fire department she has held several offices, including Ambulance Captain and her current position of Ambulance Lieutenant. She has always been very active with the department’s fire prevention program. Paramedic Moore teaches for the Delaware State Fire School. She is a mother of two children and lives with her husband in Blades, Delaware.
Ronnie Johnson graduated from the Paramedic Student Program at Kent General Hospital in 1992 and has been with Sussex County EMS for the past 17 years. According to Ronnie’s Supervisor, “He is a very caring, compassionate, and unassuming person who will do whatever he can to help you.” Throughout the course of his career, Ronnie has been involved in several committees, including equipment, vehicle, Phoenix, and chart review, and he is currently the chair of the chaplain program. A few years ago Ronnie’s wife Gloria was called to ministry and opened a church with Ronnie known as the Spirit of Excellence Ministry, in Dagsboro, Delaware, where Gloria serves as the Pastor. Together, they have been reaching out to the community and helping those less privileged. Through their desire to help others they established a Youth for Excellence program based in Dagsboro, a non-profit, no-cost program which is not church-based. Paramedic Johnson lives in Millsboro with his wife and they have several adult children and grandchildren.
Kirk Miller was one of the original ten paramedics that founded the system known today as Sussex County EMS. Paramedic Miller joined Sussex County Emergency Medical Services in 1991 and is serving his 40th year in emergency services, which includes volunteering at Nansemond–Suffolk, Virginia and as a professional Firefighter in North Oceana FD in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He obtained his Associate’s Degree in Fire Science from Tidewater Community College, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Paramedic Miller remains active in department activities as a member of the PIER and Special Events Teams. Special Events Teams members provide medical care at community events and festivals throughout the year, including Punkin Chunkin and the Nanticoke Indian Powwow. Paramedic Miller has served in numerous positions including Supervisor but opted to return to what he enjoys the most-patient care. He also has numerous letters of thanks for his willingness to assist in any activity, regardless of conditions. Kirk lives in Milton with his wife and they have several children and grandchildren.
John Haynie has been with Sussex County EMS since 1999. Paramedic Haynie serves as a Field Training Officer and a member of the Standards Operating Procedures Committee, a group that updates policies to reflect new changes to the service. John also serves his country in the United State Coast Guard Reserves. Paramedic Haynie assisted the City of Pocomoke, Maryland with the development of their Advanced Life Support EMS system and continues to serve his community of Pocomoke as a volunteer firefighter and Paramedic. Paramedic Haynie is married and has three children.
Following the presentation of awards, Sussex County EMS Director Glenn Luedtke spoke to the audience about the accomplishments of Sussex County EMS during the last year, including the opening of the Medic 108 Station and Cinderberry Logistics Center, as well as our 3rd place finish during the international competition in Israel. Director Luedtke also talked about tragedy following two separate ambulance collisions, one which claimed the life of one of our paramedics and critically injured another, along with several EMT’s.
In addition, Nanticoke Rotary President, William Taylor presented a check to Travis Woodyard, President of the Sussex County Paramedic Association, for the Stephanie L. Callaway Scholarship Fund. The scholarship was originally Stephanie’s idea while she was President of the Association. After Stephanie’s death, the scholarship was established in her honor and will be awarded annually to a deserving student to help them pursue the career that Stephanie loved.
###