Community Top Paramedic, EMT honored during annual EMS Awards ceremony

BRADENTON — Some of Manatee County’s unsung heroes were honored Wednesday during an emotional ceremony to celebrate Emergency Medical Services.

Charge paramedic Angie Hadlock took home the Paramedic of the Year award and EMT Jeremy Peterson was named Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) of the Year. The Rookie of the Year award went to Charge Paramedic Jesse Stine.Jolene Hopkins was named Volunteer of the Year and the Chief’s Commendation went to EMS Logistics Manager Brian Boren.

EMS Chief Steve Krivjanik, marking one year of service with the County, said Manatee EMS is on pace to respond to 48,000 calls for service this year. Last year EMS responded to 43,000 calls.

“Every member of the EMS family deserves our thanks and praise for what they provide their communities every day of the year,” Krivjanik said. “I want to personally thank the families, the families who sacrifice their time away from their loved ones, who provide strengthening words and encouragement when faced with the impossible and who live everyday not knowing if their loved ones will return,” Krivjanik said.

The event, held at the Public Safety Center, is part of National EMS Week, May 17 – 23. County Commissioners will recognize the week with an official proclamation on May 19.

“Our EMS system is growing, as is our community,” Krivjanik said. “It is a simple reality that we must recognize the impact on all EMS and health care partners and become more flexible and creative when treating the increasingly large number of patients. We continue to provide the very best care utilizing the latest equipment, techniques and resources.

Winners were selected by an awards committee comprised of the members of the EMS field. Award descriptions for each category are below:

• 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;  
  
  
• Genesis Award is awarded to individuals who have successfully delivered or assisted in the delivery of an infant in the field; Recipients included:  Zach Molnar, Lorenzo Hogans, Alex Flores, Jesse Stine, Craig Lavelle and Andrew Baker. 
  
  
• Phoenix Award is awarded to an individual who has successfully achieved five cardiac arrest recoveries; Recipients included: Angel Roman, Jason Donath and Chris Cordes. 
   
• 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 at www.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on Twitter, @ManateeGov.