Newtown EMS Shines At Awards Ceremony
Newtown EMS Shines At Awards Ceremony
By Nancy K. Crevier
The 2006 Awards Ceremony and Banquet for EMS was held Wednesday evening, May 17, at Stony Hill Inn in Bethel. Four of the seven awards presented in recognition of superior service in the field of emergency medicine went to Newtown EMS providers.
MRT (Medical Response Technician) of the Year went to Richard âArchieâ Paloian, a member of the Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue Company. An MRT is certified to provide first response emergency medical care at the scene of an emergency
EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) B of the Year was awarded to Blair Balmforth of Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps. EMT-B is the first level of medical training to care for patients at an accident and while transporting patients by ambulance to the hospital. The EMT-B evaluates a patientâs condition and manages respiratory, cardiac, and trauma emergencies. Mr Balmforth also serves with Danbury Health Care Affiliates (DHCA) ambulance service of Danbury Hospital.
Liz Cain, chief of Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps, was awarded EMT-I of the Year. The EMT-Intermediate has advanced training that allows the administration of intravenous fluids, the use of manual defibrillators, and the use of advanced airway equipment when a patient is experiencing difficulty in breathing.
Jeanne McKenney was the recipient of the Chris Blackwell Award for Excellence. Chris Blackwell was an area paramedic and New York City fireman who perished in the 9/11 attack. His wife, Jane Blackwell, and son, Ryan, who is a member of the Newtown Junior Ambulance Corps, presented the award.
Ms McKenney is a volunteer with Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps and is a paramedic with DHCA. She is a cardiac perfusionist at Danbury Hospital in the new cardiac unit.
Paramedic of the Year was awarded to Gordon MacCalla, DHCA.
Service Award for 2006 went to DHCA.
Romi Duckworth of Danbury Hospital received the Educator of the Year Award.
Winners of the 2006 awards were elected from nominations submitted by the town emergency services in Connecticut.