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The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Mass.)
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Emergency Medical Services of Berkshire County (EMSCO) held its annual awards dinner Friday at the Pittsfield Elks Lodge and recognized more than 70 individuals from more than 12 agencies for their life-saving efforts of the past year.
The awards dinner has been held annually for more than 12 years in conjunction with national EMS Week, which was celebrated May 14 to 20.
Most of the awards were in recognition of actions by responders that resulted in the “saving of a life.” These awards are presented by EMSCO in association with Western Massachusetts EMS, which reviews nominations throughout the year and presents the awards during EMS Week.
In addition, it gave out annual awards recognizing the dedication and hard work that have resulted in improving its local EMS system.
“This annual event is a celebration for our EMS responders that helps acknowledge and thank them for their hard work and the sacrifices they make all year long,” said Brian K. Andrews, president of EMSCO.
EMSCO is a nonprofit organization representing Berkshire County Ambulance services, first responder and hospital emergency departments.
With more than 20 member organizations, it is committed to advancing pre-hospital emergency care through continuing education, public education and representation on various regional and state organizations.
2006 award recipients
County Ambulance: Kathleen Baier, Brian Schultz, Christine Isca, David Owen, Jessica Bressette, George Litourneau, Robert VanBramer, Sean Sanderson, Mark Brooks, Trisha Carlo and John Hannum.
Pittsfield Fire Department: Terrance Andrus, Ronald Clement, Scott McGinnis, Christopher Dorr, Mark Gingras, Peter Apple, James Heath, Michael McLaughlin, Daniel Garner, Kurt Johnson and Lee Kohlenberger.
Austen Riggs: James Sacksteder.
Lee Ambulance: Kevin Palmer, Vicki Sorrentino, Charles Spirydowski, Daniel Weston, Lisa Breault, Tara Jones and Scott Rockefeller.
Maconey Pediatrics: Claudia Gold.
Pittsfield Police Department: Dwayne Foisy, Jeffrey Coco and Michael Megaro.
North Adams Dispatch Center: David Burdick.
North Adams Ambulance: Michael Gleason, Paige Gleason, John LeClair, Michael Mroz, Lynn Richardson and Calli Yorke.
North Adams Fire Department: Joseph Beverly, Juan Bolte, Michael Goodson and Michael Roberts.
North Adams Police Department: Craig Bush and Alan McDonald.
Adams Ambulance: John Meaney, James Taylor, Mary Arigoni and Raymond Martin.
Cheshire Fire Department: Fred Balawender, Carol Balawender, Thomas Francesconi, Andrew Kachel, Raymond Kellerman, Corey McGrath and Shawn McGrath.
Bystander recognition: Alyssa Reed, William Reed Jr. and William Reed Sr.
Basic Provider of the Year: Scott Rockefeller, Lee Ambulance.
ALS Intermediate Provider of the Year: Christopher Long, Lenox Ambulance.
ALS Paramedic Provider of the Year: Mary Andrews, AMR.
EMS Agency of the Year: North Adams Ambulance.
Nurse of the Year: Lucy Britton, BMC.
Dinner chairwoman: Judy Voll.