When tragedy strikes, there is comfort knowing that skillful and caring emergency medical service professionals are there on the front line helping you or your loved one. The families who experienced the tragic Utah State University van rollover accident last September know first hand. So does the new grandfather of baby Hudson Reed, who fit into the palm of his grandfather's hand when he came into this world unexpectedly at 22 ½ weeks weighing only 1 lb. 2 oz. These stories are only two examples of the impact that dedicated emergency medical champions have on their communities.

The Utah Department of Health's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) held their annual EMS Awards ceremony today to launch the 2006 National EMS Week, May 14-20, 2006. The awards ceremony honored and paid tribute to Utah's Emergency Medical Services individuals and teams who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment and service. Awards were given in 13 categories, recognizing the outstanding EMS care these individuals and EMS teams delivered during life-threatening and highly-charged incidents.

"This year's theme, Serving on Health Care's Front Line, encompasses the excellent heroes who diligently care for and help those in need," said Paul Patrick, director of the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, UDOH. "The emergency medical teams we honor today are great examples of the commitment and unified efforts from all the multi-entities who responded and provided the best possible care for each patient."

The EMS Week Awards are presented by the UDOH's Bureau of Emergency Medical Services in cooperation with the Sandy City Fire Department. For more information on the EMS Awards Ceremony, visit UDOH's Bureau of Emergency Medical Services Web site at:
www.health.utah.gov/ems

2006 Award Winners

Outstanding Performance in an Emergency Medical Incident

Emergency Medical Incident of the Year: Utah State University Van Rollover
· Tremonton Fire and Rescue, Tremonton Police Dept., Garland Police Dept., ATK Thiokol Fire Dept., Thatcher-Penrose Fire Dept., Plymouth Fire Dept., Box Elder Co. Fire Warden, Utah Highway Patrol, DPS Box Elder Communications, Life Flight, AirMed

EMS Pediatric Team Incident of the Year: Premature Delivery of Baby at 22 ½ weeks
· Farmington City Fire and Rescue, Davis County Sheriffs Office 911 Communications, Davis County Sheriffs Office Paramedics/Patrol, Primary Children's Medical Center, Life Flight, Centerville Police Department, Farmington Police Department

Emergency Medical Dispatch Incident of the Year: Suicide Call in Provo Canyon
· Dispatcher: Lesli Hughes - Department of Public Safety - Salt Lake Communications Center

Air Medical Ambulance Incident of the Year: Mt. Olympus Seven-Hiker Rescue
· Life Flight Air Ambulance, Salt Lake Co. Sheriff's Search and Rescue, Salt Lake Co. Sheriff's Dispatch Center, Unified Fire Authority, Gold Cross Ambulance

Outstanding Search and Rescue: Boy Scout Heart Condition Rescue
· Summit Co. Sheriff's Search & Rescue, Summit County Communications Center, Life Flight
Law Enforcement Contribution: George M. Zamantakis, EMT, Chief Helper Police Dept.

Outstanding Performance of the Year

Emergency Medical Dispatcher of the Year: Sue D. Redd, EMD
· San Juan County Sheriffs Office Communications Division

Emergency Medical Technician of the Year: Ricky H. Evans, EMT
· Lehi City EMS/Fire Department

Emergency Nurse of the Year: Wendy Dangerfield, RN
· Life Flight Air Ambulance

Paramedic of the Year: Brian R. Embley, Paramedic
· AirMed Air Ambulance, Salt Lake City Fire Department

Emergency Physician of the Year: Douglas C. Murdock, M.D.
· Utah Valley Hospital

EMS Instructor of the Year: Mikel R. Kilfoyle, Paramedic
· Roy City Fire Department

Distinguished Service Awards:
· Jan M. Buttrey - 30 years of Service
· Dan M. Woodard, EMT-Intermediate - 30 years of Service
· Eileen W. Craw - 30 years of Service
· W. Dorrell Henderson - EMS Exemplary Service
· AirMed Air Ambulance - Compassionate Service
· Christopher Stratford - EMS Special Project
· Paul E. Fore - EMS Special Project
· Carol Ann Duncan - EMS Special Project
· Richard King - EMS Special Project

Utah CISM Team Don Arends Award:
· Cheryl Berry

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