Dr. Howard Backer, Director of the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA), has announced the recipients of California Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Awards for 2012. Launched in 2007, the annual awards honor and recognize exceptional acts and service by individuals working or volunteering in California’s emergency medical system.
“Providing emergency medical care in the field, whether on the street, home, office, or store is heroic by its nature, and the people who chose this career deserve recognition,” said Backer. “Each year, certain emergency medical technicians, paramedics and system participants stand out for their extraordinary actions. It’s important that we acknowledge their contributions toward public safety and for making California’s EMS system one of the best in the world.”
EMS personnel are trained to provide stabilizing and lifesaving care. These EMS awards are intended to honor and recognize noteworthy or exceptional acts and service while working as EMS certified or licensed personnel, administrators, trainers, or volunteers within the EMS system. The award period represents activities from October 10, 2011 through September 7, 2012 for cumulative service.
Most of the awards will be presented during a luncheon ceremony following the regular meeting of the Commission on Emergency Medical Services December 5th in San Francisco at the Marines’ Memorial Hotel. Clinical Excellence Awards will be presented at the recipients’ home stations.
The award ceremony is sponsored by American Medical Response, BoundTree Medical, Paramedics Plus, and the San Francisco Paramedic Association and will be held at no cost to the State. For information about the awards and the ceremony, visit www.emsa.ca.gov/about/awards/default.asp.
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD:
Bruce Barton (Riverside, CA)
For exceptional service as the EMS Administrator for Riverside County and exemplary statewide EMS leadership.
EMS MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD:
Dr. Eric Rudnick (Red Bluff, CA)
For exceptional medical leadership in the Northern California EMS region and statewide.
MEDAL OF VALOR AWARD:
Shawn Ellis (San Jose, CA)
For selfless heroism in rescuing a person from a burning house on June 15, 2012
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD:
Dr. Baxter Larmon (Los Angeles, CA)
For superior sustained statewide contributions and dedicated leadership in initiating prehospital medical care in California and nationwide.
Dr. Marianne Gausche-Hill (Los Angeles, CA)
For superior sustained statewide leadership, research and education in improving EMS for Children.
Dr. Robert Mackersie (San Francisco, CA)
For superior sustained statewide leadership in developing state and local trauma systems, service to the California Commission on EMS and State Trauma Advisory Committee.
Harvey Hall (Bakersfield, CA)
For superior sustained statewide leadership in providing EMS service for more than 40 years.
Michael Antonucci Jr. (Upland, CA)
For superior sustained statewide EMS service for over 37 years.
Miles Julihn (San Rafael, CA)
For superior sustained statewide leadership within the EMS community as a representative of local EMS agencies statewide.
Sheldon Gilbert (Livermore, CA)
For superior sustained statewide leadership in EMS for the fire service and as chair of the Commission on EMS.
MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD:
Brian Newton (San Jose, CA)
For participating in the rescue of a woman from a burning house on June 15, 2012.
Dr. Joel Levis (Santa Clara, CA)
For providing outstanding leadership and service to the Santa Clara County EMS System.
Jesse Allured (Napa, CA)
For exceptional service providing leadership to the Napa County EMS system.
Ricky Rod (San Diego, CA)
For sustained, dedicated EMS service in San Diego for over 25 years and for meritorious contributions to the EMS profession.
LIFESAVING AWARD:
Herculano “Lano” Tucay (Visalia, CA)
For heroically risking his own safety to rescue a severely injured person and protect the public while off duty on August 1, 2012.
Jack Franklin (Santa Barbara, CA)
For saving the life of a severely injured motorcyclist while off duty on December 20, 2012.
Jeffrey Yock (Daly City, CA)
For saving the life of a cardiac arrest victim on June 14, 2012.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD:
Diane St. Denis (San Jose, CA)
For exemplary community service, volunteerism and dedication to the Santa Clara County EMS community.
Gordon Anderson (San Diego, CA)
For exceptional EMS service and community volunteerism to the San Diego region spanning 43 years.
James Bradbury (Bakersfield, CA)
For dedicated volunteerism, mentorship and EMS leadership to the Kern County community.
Karrie Groves (Marin, CA)
For creativity and enthusiasm in developing citizen CPR events for the Marin community.
Nancy Alvarez (Long Beach, CA)
For exceptional EMS education efforts in training of Paramedics, EMTs and civilians in Los Angeles County.
Reema Makani Boccia (San Diego, CA)
For exceptional efforts in coordinating an EMS public information program in the San Diego community.
INTER-SERVICE EMS RECOGNITION AWARD:
Dan Frohlich, Curtis Lau, John Renegar, Donovan Mathias (Mountain View, CA)
For meritorious rescue of an individual suffering cardiac arrest on July 23, 2012.
Philip Helmer (San Francisco, CA)
For meritorious rescue of a cardiac arrest victim on June 14, 2012.
Travis Creteau (Chula Vista, CA)
For meritorious efforts to rescue two children on August 5, 2012.
CIVILIAN AWARD:
Austin Martinez (Stockton, CA)
For heroically risking his own safety to save the life of another person on May 2, 2012.
Brian Carmine, Creed Black, Travis McCormick (Campbell, CA)
For saving the life of a cardiac arrest victim on January 20, 2012.
Steve & Angela Finnegan (Vacaville, CA)
For saving the life of a child on November 27, 2011.
Staff Sgt. Valdir Ruiz (Vacaville, CA)
For saving the life of a choking woman on May 1, 2012.
Steve “Butch” Spalding (Quartz Hill, CA)
For saving the life of a car crash victim on February 28, 2012.
Tamera Wilson (Bakersfield, CA)
For saving the life of a choking child on February 1, 2012.
CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AWARD:
The following Clinical Excellence Awards will be presented at the recipients’ home stations, not at the EMS Awards Ceremony in San Francisco.
Alison Lowder (Santa Rosa, CA)
Excellent patient care while delivering a baby in an ambulance to a high risk patient on February 5, 2012.
Andrew Kelly (San Diego, CA)
Excellent patient care for an individual suffering numerous implanted heart defibrillator complications on August 9, 2012.
Brandon Resendez (Paradise, CA)
Excellent patient care for a fellow EMT suffering a gunshot wound to the head on August 2, 2012.
Bruce Hasek (Paradise, CA)
Excellent patient care for a fellow EMT suffering a gunshot wound to the head on August 2, 2012.
Bryan Frey (Orange, CA)
Excellent patient care during a mass shooting on October 12, 2011.
Bryce Sweeney (Paradise, CA)
Excellent patient care for a fellow EMT suffering a gunshot wound to the head on August 2, 2012.
Casey Silver (Chico, CA)
Excellent patient care for a fellow EMT suffering a gunshot wound to the head on August 2, 2012.
Chad Smart (Orange, CA)
Excellent patient care during a mass shooting on October 12, 2011.
Christi Nelson (Sunnyvale, CA)
Excellent patient care while delivering CPR instructions over the phone, which saved the life of an elderly woman on February 22, 2011.
Clint Dona (Tustin, CA)
Excellent and compassionate care while transporting a baby under extreme circumstances on August 22, 2011.
David Antonowich (Chico, CA)
Excellent patient care for a fellow EMT suffering a gunshot wound to the head on August 2, 2012.
David Ott (Sacramento, CA)
Excellent patient care for the transport of a cardiac patient on June 5, 2012.
Douglas Murray (San Francisco, CA)
Excellent patient care for a motorcyclist struck by a motorist on August 2, 2012.
Dustin Slikker (San Diego, CA)
Excellent patient care for an individual suffering numerous implanted heart defibrillator complications on August 9, 2012.
Eileen Navarro (Bakersfield, CA)
Excellent patient care for an individual suffering cardiac arrest on October 10, 2011.
Garret Estevane (San Diego, CA)
Excellent patient care for an individual suffering numerous implanted heart defibrillator complications on August 9, 2012.
Heidi Woods (Bakersfield, CA)
Excellent patient care for an individual suffering cardiac arrest on October 10, 2011.
Jason Van Zile (San Diego, CA)
Excellent patient care for an individual suffering numerous implanted heart defibrillator complications on August 9, 2012.
Jeff Perkins (Bakersfield, CA)
Excellent patient care for an individual suffering cardiac arrest on July 5, 2011.
Jessica Hopkins (Orange, CA)
Excellent patient care while calming down a combative patient and de-escalating a volatile situation on October 23, 2011.
Joe Hanley (Sebastopol, CA)
Excellent patient care for the resuscitation of a child in a swimming pool on August 11, 2012.
Joe Taylor (San Diego, CA)
Excellent patient care for an individual suffering numerous implanted heart defibrillator complications on August 9, 2012.
John Singler (Paradise, CA)
Excellent patient care for a fellow EMT suffering a gunshot wound to the head on August 2, 2012.
Joseph Dequattro (Vallejo, CA)
Excellent patient care for an individual suffering cardiac arrest on December 27, 2011.
Leanna Navarro (San Diego, CA)
Excellent patient care for an individual suffering numerous implanted heart defibrillator complications on August 9, 2012.
Matthew McDonald (Chino Hills, CA)
Excellent and compassionate care while transporting a baby under extreme circumstances on August 22, 2011.
Matthew Palma (San Francisco, CA)
Excellent patient care for a motorcyclist struck by a motorist on August 2, 2012.
Mike Hilliard (Bakersfield, CA)
Excellent patient care for an individual suffering cardiac arrest on July 5, 2011.
Nicole Bonn (Vallejo, CA)
Excellent patient care for an individual suffering cardiac arrest on November 8, 2011.
Pamela Watson (Vallejo, CA)
Excellent patient care for an individual suffering cardiac arrest on November 8, 2011.
Piti Sukavivatanachai (Orange, CA)
Excellent patient care during a mass shooting on October 12, 2011.
Ryan Judson (San Diego, CA)
Excellent patient care for an individual suffering numerous implanted heart defibrillator complications on August 9, 2012.
Ryan Redd (Chico, CA)
Excellent patient care for a fellow EMT suffering a gunshot wound to the head on August 2, 2012.
Sam Humphries (Vallejo, CA)
Excellent patient care for an individual suffering cardiac arrest on December 27, 2011.
Shawn Perryman (Bakersfield, CA)
Excellent patient care for an individual suffering cardiac arrest on October 10, 2011.
Steve Clifton (Sebastopol, CA)
Excellent patient care for the resuscitation of a child in a swimming pool on August 11, 2012.
Tanya Johnson (Bakersfield, CA)
Excellent patient care for an individual suffering cardiac arrest on October 10, 2011.
Trenton Amara (Pomona, CA)
Excellent and compassionate care while transporting a baby under extreme circumstances on August 22, 2011.
