By EMS1 Staff
ATLANTA — NAEMT recognized two EMS professionals with national awards in Atlanta today during the opening ceremonies of the 2009 EMS EXPO. Chris Honda and Linda Smith took home honors of Paramedic of the Year and EMT of the Year, respectively.
A firefighter and mobile intensive care technician for the Hawaii Fire Department, Chris Honda was recognized for maintaining his agency’s EMT training program while overcoming a shortage of EMT instructors. Honda took it upon himself to instruct the department’s 36th Recruit Class and dedicated hundreds of hours of both personal and professional time to assure that the students received quality and comprehensive EMS instruction.
An active member of the community, Honda raised more than $13,000 for the American Cancer Society, routinely speaks to students on safety, and serves as a community first aid and CPR instructor.
 Photo Jamie Thompson Chad Brown (left), of Braun, and NAEMT President Patrick Moore present Linda Smith with the EMT of the Year Award at EMS Expo in Atlanta on Wednesday. |
“Chris is an asset to his team, department, county and the community in which he proudly serves,” said Hawaii Fire Department Captain Lance Uchida. “His desire to serve without any expectation of honors or recognition clearly demonstrates his unselfish commitment to public safety and community service and illustrates that he has embodied the Hawaii Fire Department’s mission statement, '…dedicated to serve with pride, honor and compassion.’ He is truly deserving of this award.”
An EMT for 24 years, Linda Smith is an EMT-Intermediate and a Service Training Officer in South Dakota. Awarded the state’s 2008 EMT of the Year award, Smith is also an educator, acting as an instructor of CPR as well as various trauma and medical classes. A participant in state and national EMS conventions for the past 20 years, Smith has also held the responsibility of coordinating Philip Health Service’s Bioterrorism and Pandemic Awareness programs. She also volunteers her services at community and church events.
“Linda is very active as an EMT and strives to keep her skills sharp by attending numerous trainings,” said Jackie Stilwell, President of Kadoka Ambulance Service. “She is a very compassionate person who cares for patients as if they were her own family, with compassion and professionalism. I cannot think of a more deserving person for this award.”
The winners were presented with a $1,000 stipend, free travel, lodging for three nights, and EXPO registration. The EMT of the Year Award is sponsored by Braun Industries, and the Paramedic of the Year Award is sponsored by Laerdal.