Sussex County Emergency Services honors first responders, professionals and citizens at annual banquet

Several Sussex County emergency responders and healthcare professionals were recently honored during the annual Sussex County Emergency Services banquet held at Heritage Shores in Bridgeville.

The event is sponsored annually by the Sussex County Paramedic Association, the Sussex County Volunteer Ambulance Association and Sussex County Emergency Medical Services. Retired Sussex County EMS Director Glenn Luedtke served as the guest speaker, providing information to the audience regarding his years of experience as an emergency medical provider and recent advances in ambulance safety. The banquet was again hosted by local television personality Jimmy Hoppa of WBOC-TV.

Emergency Medical Technician of the District was given to eight outstanding EMTs throughout Sussex County, one for each county paramedic station’s district: Medic 101, Lincoln, Donnie Noll, Carlisle Fire Company; Medic 102, Laurel, Mike Moriarty, Delmar Fire Department; Medic 103, Millsboro, Gunner Haas, Dagsboro Fire Department; Medic 104, Lewes, Teri Willey, Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company; Medic 105, Millville, Gary Walls, Roxana Volunteer Fire Company; Medic 106, Long Neck, Cody Grousch, Mid-Sussex Rescue Squad; Medic 107, Bridgeville, Calvin Yelverton, Seaford Volunteer Fire Department ; Medic 108, Georgetown, Jason Hudson, Georgetown American Legion Ambulance. Of the eight recipients, Yelverton of the Seaford Volunteer Fire Company was also selected as Emergency Medical Technician of the Year.

The Emergency Medical Services Captain of the Year went to Jim Cina of the Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Company. Emergency Communications Specialist of the Year, which recognizes a dispatcher within Sussex County who consistently displays a high level of professionalism and dedication to excellence in Emergency Medical Dispatch went to dispatcher Todd McCabe of the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center. EMS Nurse of the Year winner was Karen Magee, RN, of Bayhealth Milford Memorial, Milford. The EMS Physician of the Year is Monty Spangler, MD, of Sussex Emergency Associates and Beebe Healthcare in Lewes.

Sussex County Emergency Medical Services Shift Excellence Awards were given to paramedics for a shift who have done an outstanding job over the course of the year. Representing A Shift was paramedic Kris Knutsen; B Shift, paramedic field training officer John Haynie; C Shift, paramedic Leah O’Boyle; and D Shift, paramedic Jason Hansen.

Sussex County Emergency Medical Services Paramedic of the Year is given to a Sussex County paramedic who exemplifies a professional attitude, clinical excellence, and commitment to the highest standard of excellence in patient care, as well as a consistent performance in delivering patient care that serves as an example to others. This year’s recipient is paramedic field training officer John Haynie.

Sussex County Emergency Medical Services Field Training Officer of the Year, selected by his/her coworkers for exemplary performance in the training, evaluation, coaching and mentoring of new employees, students, and veteran employees, is paramedic field training officer Andrew Vickers.

Sussex County Emergency Medical Services District Supervisor of the Year, awarded for professionalism and leadership in supervision of other field medics, went to B Shift Supervisor Ann Tait.

The Sussex County Emergency Medical Services Administrative Excellence award went to Technical Services Division Manager Bobby Schoonover. The Sussex County Emergency Medical Services Caring People Award, given to a a private citizen for a lifesaving act in which quick thinking, fast action and heroism were demonstrated during an emergency event, went to Gordon Serman of Millsboro. Serman was recognized for his actions during a vehicle accident with injuries. He was on his way to work when he witnessed a motor vehicle crash with a patient trapped inside a burning vehicle. Without regard for his own personal safety, Serman made multiple attempts to rescue a stranger in need.