Community Manatee

BRADENTON — Some of Manatee County’s true heroes will be honored during Emergency Medical Services’ annual awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 20.

The event will be held at the Manatee County Public Safety Building, 2101 47th Terrace E., from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is part of National EMS Week, May 17 – 23. County Commissioners will recognize the week with an official proclamation on Tuesday, May 19.

“This is really a community recognition to the men and women who, day in and day out, serve the community tirelessly,” said EMS Chief Steve Krivjanik. “They care for people, save lives and ensure that the best medical care is provided in all environments at all times.”

Winners are selected by an awards committee comprised of the members of the EMS field.

Awards will be given in the following categories:

• Paramedic and EMT of the Year is awarded to the Department members who put forth an effort of the highest degree. It may involve an individual event or a collection of exceptional performances; 
  
  
• Rookie of the Year is awarded to the individual who has shown excellent learning skills, superior performance and a desire for gaining the skills, knowledge and education to be a successful and valuable asset to MCEMS;  
  
  
• The Lifesaving Award is awarded to individuals who have successfully saved a life (whether on or off duty), which would have otherwise been lost, through prompt and alert action and under some degree of hazard to the recipient;  
  
  
• Genesis Award is awarded to individuals who have successfully delivered or assisted in the delivery of an infant in the field; 
  
  
• Phoenix Award is awarded to an individual who has successfully achieved five cardiac arrest recoveries; 
   
• Chief’s Commendation is reserved for the Chief of the Department to recognize a member or citizen for some outstanding achievement, within or outside the department, that causes a positive and dramatic change in the Department and/or the community;   
  
  
• Departmental/Unit Citation Award is awarded to a crew, unit or entire Department whose members acted in a unified and efficient manner to overcome adverse conditions to uphold the MCEMS mission;
  
  
• Volunteer of the Year is given to the volunteer who has shown superior motivation, participation and dedication to his/her community;

• Military Service Award is presented to an individual who has served or is presently serving in the National Guard or in regular or reserve U.S. Military service with the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, or Coast Guard. 

For more information on Manatee County Emergency Medical Services, follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ManateeCountyEMS and follow Manatee County Public Safety on Twitter @MCGPublicSafety

For more information on Manatee County Government, visit www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. You can also follow us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on Twitter, @ManateeGov.