By Mike Parker
Austin American Statesman
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas —The Williamson County EMS department held its annual Recognition Ceremony on March 29 to celebrate and honor exemplary service paramedics perform on a daily basis.
During the ceremony, the department recognized paramedics that were involved in caring for and resuscitating patients going into cardiac arrest, patients going into labor and other services involving medical care.
The department presented 77 individual Phoenix awards for saving 26 people under cardiac arrest. The Phoenix award is given to each paramedic who was involved in the care of the cardiac arrest patient who had a return of pulse and was later discharged from the hospital neurologically intact.
Paramedic Tara English received the 2018 Medical Director Award, which recognizes a paramedic who represents the best of Williamson County EMS by demonstrating both professional and personal dedication to excellence in medicine and education.
Paramedic Brent Carrillo received the 2018 John Sneed Customer Service Award, which recognizes a paramedic that best represents the ideals and intent behind the Williamson County EMS Way.
Paramedic Nate Denney received the 2018 Director’s Award, which recognizes a paramedic who represents the best of Williamson County EMS by demonstrating both professional and personal dedication.
Lt. Blake Applegate received the 2018 Paramedic of the Year Award. Applegate was nominated and selected by his peers for this award.
The department honored recent promotions for field training officers Aimee Fleming, Brett Meyer and Taylor Kellogg and field lieutenants Justin Covey and Justin Hurzeler.
The department also recognized team members with years of service to the department ranging from 5 years of service to 25 years of service.
Learn more about the county EMS department at wilco.org/Departments/EMS.
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