For Release May 9th, after 10 p.m. MR 08-10: Sussex County announces the following awards during its annual EMS banquet held this year at the Seaford Fire Hall in Seaford, Delaware.
Sussex County Volunteer Ambulance Association Awards
EMT/B of the Year: Frank DeFord, Mercy Berry
Clifford Lee Award: Jeff Hill
Shift Excellence Awards:
Each year, our Supervisors select individuals who have done an outstanding job for their Shift Excellence Awards. These awards were presented during continuing education sessions in May. The winners were also recognized during the annual EMS Banquet.
A-Shift – Paramedic Ray Fulkrod
Ray was selected for his work on various committees and his duties as a field training Officer. According to his Supervisor, Ray’s efforts surpass expectations; presenting himself in such manner that brings credit to the shift and our organization. Ray has been recently appointed the Chair of the Safety Board and was also involved in re-writing the process which certifies and trains paramedics from out of state who come to work for Sussex County EMS. Ray has been with Sussex County EMS since 2002. He lives in Millsboro with his wife.
B-Shift – Paramedic Travis Woodyard
According to his supervisor Travis has gone above what is required for his position with SCEMS this past year. He has brought a lot of enthusiasm and has made recommendations for improvements to the shift’s operations. He became a Field Training Officer this past year and has been very active with this position. The Medical Control physicians have voiced several compliments on his patient care, as have his chart reviewers, his partners and the education coordinator. Travis is active as an Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Life Support Instructor, and serves on several committees including Special Events, Recruiting, and Equipment, which he co-chairs. Travis lives in Lewes and has been a paramedic with Sussex County EMS since 2004.
C-Shift – Paramedic David Hammerer
Dave is very active on several committees, including Standard Operating Procedures, EKG, and Special Events. These groups set polices, determine the accuracy of cardiac rhythm interpretations, and provide medical coverage for festivals and community events. In addition to his committee work, Dave goes above and beyond when completing his station duties including fixing broken equipment and vehicle repairs. Dave’s paramedic skills and knowledge are well above average, and he with was recently involved in saving the life of a fellow firefighter during a house fire in Rehoboth. Dave has been with Sussex County EMS since 2004 and resides in Newark, Delaware.
D-Shift – Brandon Donaway
According to his supervisor, he was not selected because of a specific event, but for a career of exemplary service. Brandon is on five department work groups and chairs a fifth, as well as active on our HazMed team. Brandon has helped shape the shift and department as a senior medic and mentor on many occasions. His consistent, excellent patient care and professional attitude make him a valuable asset to the department. Brandon’s years of experience and even temperament have made him a great resource to the shift and his Supervisor. Brandon is also a member of the Dagsboro Fire Company. He lives in Dagsboro with his wife and two children.
Special Recognition Awards
During the ceremony, several people were recognized for providing life saving care to the public and members of the emergency services community.
Lifesaver Award – Robbie Brode
On August 27th of last year, while working as a police officer for the Bridgeville Police Department, Patrolman Robbie Brode responded to a report of a child choking. Arriving prior to EMS, he found a 3 year old child who had choked on a hot dog. Determining that the child was cyanotic, not breathing, and unresponsive, Patrolman Brode began delivering back blows to the child, which dislodged a large piece of hot dog from the child’s airway. By the time EMS arrived, the child was breathing normally and was responsive and alert.
Robbie is a veteran firefighter with the Harrington Volunteer Fire Company, and has recently joined the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s office.
Lifesaver’s Award – Lt. Mickey Wisseman, Sgt. Jason Hudson, FF Anthony Donofrio, FF/Paramedic David Hammerer, FF Jason Hudson, FF Hunter Holland, Dispatcher Dustin Crago, Dispatcher Scott Clark, Paramedic Glenn Marshall, Paramedic Robert Mauch
On February 16, 2008, Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Firefighter/Engineer Walter Brittingham was operating the pump at the scene of a structure fire in Dewey Beach when he suddenly collapsed from a cardiac arrest. Bethany Beach Lieutenant Mickey Wisseman, Sergeant Jason Hudson, Firefighter Anthony Donofrio and Firefighter/Paramedic David Hammerer quickly rushed to Mr. Brittingham’s side and began basic life support care. They quickly applied the Automated External Defibrillator and delivered a single shock, which restored his pulse. Rehoboth 911 Dispatchers Dustin Crago and Scott Clark rapidly coordinated the response of ALS and BLS resources, and Paramedic Glenn Marshall and District Supervisor Rob Mauch arrived shortly thereafter to provide advanced life support. Walter was on hand to thank his rescuers.
Lifesaver’s Award – EMT/B Mercy Berry, EMT/B Frank DeFord
On January 28th, 2008, at approximately 6:15 a.m., an ambulance from the Millsboro Fire Department was returning from a call when it was struck broadside by an SUV at the intersection of Beaver Dam and Indian Mission Roads. On board were EMT’s Frank DeFord and Mercy Berry, and Paramedic John Schmitt. The force of the crash created an opening in the side of the patient compartment, through which Paramedic Schmitt was thrown, causing multiple injuries, including a severe head injury, as he landed on the pavement. Mr. DeFord, who also sustained head and neck injuries, and Ms. Berry, who sustained a back injury, rushed to Paramedic Schmitt’s aid and, recognizing the seriousness of his injuries, called for a full ALS response. Without regard for their own injuries, Frank and Mercy secured and maintained an open airway and manual spinal immobilization, and provided basic life support care until the arrival of responding units. Frank and John were transported via helicopter to the Level I Trauma Center at Christiana Hospital, while Mercy was taken by ambulance to Beebe Hospital. Fortunately, all three survived their injuries. Frank and Mercy’s actions in coming immediately to John’s aid in spite of their own injuries were instrumental in the saving of his life. John was present at the ceremony, and expressed his gratitude to Frank, Mercy and all of those who helped him and his family after the crash and during his recovery.
Sussex County EMS Awards
EMS Supervisor of the Year – Eric Huovinen
Eric has served as District Supervisor for the past four years. Those who work for him use words such as “fair”, “just”, “hardworking” to describe him, and point out that he has not demanded their respect, but rather has earned it through his performance. Whether counseling an employee or coordinating medical operations at a multi-casualty incident, his skills as a leader inspire confidence in those who work with him. He is admired and respected by his shift, his fellow supervisors, and the senior staff alike. Eric has 17 years of service with Sussex County EMS and lives in Millville with his wife and two children. He is also an active member of the Millville Fire Company.
Field Training Officer of the Year – Fred Haas
Our Field Training Officer of the Year has been recognized in the past for his excellence as both an FTO and for his clinical excellence. In addition to his duties as an FTO, he is the Assistant Coordinator of our HazMed team, and has designed training programs for the Tox Medic program, as well as Hazardous Materials training for our personnel. In addition, he serves as a Technical Consultant to the Delaware Office of Public Health Preparedness and Delaware, and has gained an outstanding reputation as a speaker at EMS conferences throughout across the country.
As an FTO, he sets the standard for mentoring both newcomers to the system and seasoned medics. He is patient with new medics, while at the same time holding them to the highest standards. Veteran medics enjoy working with them, as he shares with them the latest information and research to help them maintain the highest standard of excellence in their care. Going the extra mile, Fred often shares interesting and valuable articles with his peers via email. Fred lives in Selbyville with his wife and two children.
Emergency Communications Specialist of the Year– Bob Parson
According to his co-workers in EMS, Bob has embraced the new technologies, using the latest features of the system to their fullest advantage, providing complete, accurate information to the personnel in the field. They also stated that no matter how busy or stressful the day, he always maintains a calm, professional demeanor. According to one person who nominated him, quote, “our days always start out with a “good morning” message on our computers, and he always provides us with additional, important information while going on calls.” Bob has been with the county 911 center since 2003. Bob is a member of the Carlisle Fire Company in Milford, Delaware and a past Chief of Memorial Fire Company in Slaughter Beach, Delaware.
EMS Nurse of the Year – Jen Light, Beebe Medical Center
Jen is a veteran Beebe Hospital ED nurse whose care in the hospital is characterized by those who nominated her as empathetic and compassionate. She is also a volunteer with the Roxana Fire Company, and is respected for both her skill and her dedication to helping her community. Jen is a great supporter of the EMS system, and always goes the extra mile to take the best care of both her patients and her fellow EMS providers.
EMS Physician of the Year – Sean Finnerty, MD, Nanticoke Memorial Hospital
Dr Finnerty is a relative newcomer to our system, having joined the staff of Nanticoke Hospital’s ER just last year. It did not take him long to make a strong impact on the medics in the west side of the County. Within a very short time, he has built a relationship with our paramedics based on mutual respect and confidence. He often greets incoming medics at the ER door, and follows the crew into the patient’s room so that he can hear the medic’s report first-hand.
Administrative Excellence – Douglas Boocock
Doug Boocock was recognized for Administrative Excellence for his duties as Technical services assistant. Among his responsibilities are providing uniforms and equipment for over 100 paramedics, and ensuring that the paramedics have the medical supplies they need. Even when stressed to the max, you almost never see him without a smile on his face, and at the busiest times he will always take the time to make sure you have what you need to do your job. He is one of those “behind the scenes” individuals who’s not out front when we’re being praised for saving a life or relieving someone’s suffering, but without whom none of us could do our jobs. He is known as a consistent advocate for the staff medics who makes himself available 24/7.
Doug is also a member of department’s Honor Guard Team representing Sussex County as several special events including the National EMS Memorial Service in Roanoke Virginia. Doug Boocock has been with Sussex County EMS since 2003, He is also a past recipient of our EMT of the Year award in 2000 and 2002. Doug lives with his wife and four children in Millsboro, Delaware.
EMT/B of the Year – Gary Walls, Roxana Fire Company
In addition to his superb skills as an EMT/B, Gary is also recognized for his diligent work in bringing their Rehabilitation unit to reality. The unit responds to working fires and multi-alarm incidents with water, food, and supplies to keep emergency workers safe during large scale incidents. He was a driving force behind its establishment, and to quote one of our medics, “he has done an outstanding job in making this available to all emergency responders in the region. Regarding his patient care, one of the nominations for this year’s winner said that “his affective skills are great, keeping the patient’s best interests always at the forefront. He makes ill patients feel calm and assures them that their problem is our top priority”. Perhaps the highest compliment was paid to him by a paramedic who wrote, “Gary is the type of EMT you hope to see when you are faced with a critical situation. He remains calm and focused on delivering the best care possible at all times.”
Paramedic of the Year – Jay Shine
Paramedic Shine enjoys a reputation as an excellent clinician, teacher, leader, and an expert in hazardous materials. According to Jay’s co-workers his skills are first – rate. In fact, one of his nominators paid him the ultimate compliment; “If something were to happen to one of my family, I would want them to receive the best care possible. The person in this department I would most want to care for my family is” this medic. He is also an outstanding educator who is patient, makes things understandable, and does not easily frustrate. His teaching abilities are also evident in his patient care, as he provides calm reassurance along with accurate information to patients and their families. His leadership abilities have manifested themselves in several aspects of his work with including several mass casualty and hazmat incidents. A co-worker described Jay as one of the hardest working medics in the system who goes above and beyond what is expected but without calling attention to himself. Jay is very active as the HazMed Team Training Officer and the Bike Team Maintenance Officer. Jay lives with his wife and two children in Millsboro, Delaware.