Last year, 18 people in Chester County lost their pulses and would have lost their lives were it not for the intervention of first-responders, and two citizens in imminent danger of death were similarly saved by the county’s emergency services community.
In addition, four babies decided to make their appearance into the world before their mothers arrived at the hospital, requiring the services of that same pool of emergency responders.
On Thursday, May 21, the Chester County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council, Inc. hosted the 11th Annual Awards Ceremony, an event timed to coincide with National EMS Week. The 2015 program, which was held at the Red Clay Room in Kennett Square, pays tribute to the entire EMS community while also singling out more than 100 individuals for the kind of heroics often featured on TV dramas.
Approximately 250 people packed the dining room, punctuating the evening with hearty applause as their colleagues’ names were called. Emergency services providers dominated the audience, joined by a host of family members and government officials, including the county commissioners, who all addressed the crowd and presented an EMS Week Proclamation.
Commissioners’ Chairman Terence Farrell said this year’s theme – “EMS Strong – was appropriate given the excellent reputation of the county’s EMS services, which routinely generate the highest rankings from citizens during an annual county survey.
“You accomplish miracles despite the obstacles thrown your way,” said Commissioner Kathi Cozzone. She said the county’s 1,500 EMS providers deserved to be recognized and applauded.
Commissioner Michelle H. Kichline praised the first-responders’ dedication, noting that the average of 108 emergency calls a day guarantees that the medics, firefighters, and police officers are often missing birthday parties and special events.
One of the evening’s most coveted awards received its name and inspiration from the late Margaret Hoover Brigham, a longtime Birmingham Township resident who was the granddaughter of President Herbert Hoover and founder and first president of the Chester County EMS Council.
“Tonight we give it to someone who doesn’t want it,” said William Wohl, a member of West Grove Fire Company and a past president of the EMS Council.
He said Stephen S. Webb, who retired in December 2014 as deputy director for field services for the Chester County Department of Emergency Services, was never an award seeker but embodied the spirit of the honor during his 32 years of service.
“He really wanted to be a forest ranger,” Wohl said of Webb. “Luckily, he came to DES.”
Wohl said Webb was known as a staunch advocate for emergency services providers “who always pushed for what was best for Chester County” at state meetings. He also set the bar high for providers. “Boy, did he have a reputation as a tough inspector,” Wohl added.
Leo Scaccia, a past Brigham award winner, presented the Nicholas H.S. Campbell Meritorious Service Award for EMS Leadership to Catherine Rawlings of Medic 93. Campbell “laid the foundation” for EMS in Chester County, Scaccia said. He joked that Rawlings has “been by my side longer than my wife – and my wife appreciates it, too.” Scaccia called her a skilled practitioner, staunch patient advocate, and trusted friend.
Robert Hotchkiss, also a past Brigham winner, congratulated the Keystone Valley Fire Department for earning the Distinguished Service Award, noting their “excellence, innovation and commitment to service.” The department handles about 1,000 calls a year, he said.
Hotchkiss pointed out that although the department is one of the newest service providers, it boasts an impressive history. In March 2013, the department was formed through the merger of the Pomeroy, Parkesburg and Atglen companies, creating an efficient consolidation that included veterans from all of the companies. Their successful effort to live up to their motto – “working regionally to survive locally” – has been used as a model for other companies.
Scott Thornton, who serves on the training committee of the EMS Council, presented the Telecommunicator of the Year Award to Steven Bacharach. Thornton said a call from an 8-year-old girl who said her mother was having trouble breathing typified the empathy, professionalism and demeanor Bacharach consistently brings to his role.
Thornton said the mother credited Bacharach with her recovery because Bacharach succeeded in keeping her daughter calm and focused until assistance arrived.
Other honorees included Ethan Healey, the Basic Life Support Provider of the Year; Alex Christ, the Advanced Life Support Provider of the Year; Muthuramanan Rameswaran, the EMS Educator of the Year; and Judith Kaplan, the Distinguished Provider Award.
Honored for assisting with the delivery of a baby in the field were Amy DeNight, Medic 91; Brandon Culbert and Paul Grothman, Goshen Fire Company; Christopher Plumley and Samuel Broomell, Kennett Fire company; Matthew Eick and James Forwood, Longwood Fire Company; James Buchanan and Hope Bernhardy, Washington Hose Fire Company; Scot Kreger, Brandywine Hospital Medic 93; Melody Kachel and Nicolette Madanat, Washington Hose Fire Company; and Hazel Stanton, Medic 93.
Life-saving Clinical Excellence Commendations went to Pamela Hoadley, John Ripple, and Tammy King-Whiteman, Southern Chester County EMS Medic 94; and Brian Casson, Timothy Greene, and Jack Wilkins of the Avondale Fire Company, who were all involved in saving the life of a patient showing imminent danger of death.
The following first-responders (followed by their station number) were recognized for their involvement in a pre-hospital clinical save of a patient without a pulse: Jaime Lee Wullenwaber, 46, Rebecca Scura, 46 Hannah Sandstrom, Matthew Bertrand, Kimberly Harvey, 94, Danielle Celii, 23, Matt Gialloreto, 23, Brian Franks (twice), 23, New Garden Township Officer John Gibson, Kyle O’Brien (thrice), 5, Stacy Catren, 5, Quintin Lotz, 5, Michael Whisler (twice), 4, Wayne Salat, 67, John Osborne Jr. (twice), 67, Matthew Eick, 25, James Forwood, 25, Kelly McLennan, 24, Mark Plumley, 24, Pamela Hoadley, 94, Michael Gerisch, 94, Dennis Bisson, 23, Stephanie Biondi, 23, Timothy Gates, 23, John Reilly, 54, Joseph Miles, 54, Emily Mallon, 91, Kerri Barrett, 91, Wilbur Emmons (thrice), 91, Darlene Mancaruso (twice), 55, Justin Robbins, 4, Jason Drinkwater, 4, Eric Fedor, 3, Timothy Wert (twice), 3, Jennifer Overholt, 46, Theresa Delp (twice), 46, Brad Cosgrove, 46, Jason Brooks, 46, Frank Ray, 46, Raymond Stackhouse, 38, Michael Edwards, 38, Heather Staley, 67, Lawrence Bengough, 67, East Pikeland Township Officer Pat Ehman, Christopher Totaro, 3, Andrew Conaway (twice), 3, Mark Scanlon, 4, Robert Zynn Jr., 49, Dane Edwards, 49, Kevin Pilotti, 49, Adam Saylor, 49, John Groff, 49, David Quigley, 49, Richard Savastana, 49, Catherine Rawlings, 49, Nicholas Proko, 49, Joseph Edwards, 49, Max Castoldi, 49, Collin Miller, 49, Bryan Sockel, 46, Stacy Crowding, 46, Richard Constantine, 46, Robert Guiney (twice), 91, Jerry Peters (twice), 91, Raymond Wilkinson, 54, Krystal Rose, 54, Robert Smith, 54, Matthew Poake, 55, Ethan Healey, 55, Adrianne Pohar, 91, Kevin Carr, 91, Ronald Immel, 55, Michael Coogan, 55, Brian Sporek, 55, Paul Brown, 55, Kevin McCarthy, 55, Earl McComsey, 55, John Haynes, 55, Kaitlyn Koutris, 55 and Scott Kramer, 91.
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