Tenn. County Hosts EMS Appreciation Luncheon

May 25--"On behalf of the Air Evac Team and Mike Ethridge, Director of Macon County EMS, I would like to express thanks to all those who came to the EMS Appreciation Luncheon," said Tom Booher, Senior Program Director Western Kentucky.

Booher gave thanks to Hunter Earnest with HCA Health Systems for helping to support the annual event.

Booher spoke his appreciation to the Macon County Sheriff's Department. Sheriff Mark Gammons stated, "I would like to say thanks to Mike Etheridge. I think he has turned this EMS around. You can see the motivation on the faces of the EMTs and Paramedics. We have a well-trained ambulance service here and if there is ever a situation where we need them there, they have never failed. I am proud to have you guys."

Booher presented Mike Ethridge, Director of Macon County EMS, with an EMS 2016 Appreciation Award on behalf of employees of Macon County EMS.

Ethridge stated he had requested the employees to nominate fellow employees who they felt were the most deserving of the awards and the reasoning of the nomination. The nominations remained anonymous. "These two people reflect what it takes in be in EMS. The two things that it takes to be in EMS is commitment and dedication," said Ethridge.

Ethridge stated, "The person for EMT of the Year is not present, and the reason he isn't here is the reason he is receiving the award. He worked for his father's family business and made a commitment to work for the EMS because we were shorthanded. Days after that commitment he had a family emergency and had to take over most of the responsibilities and the family business, he stretches himself thin but he shows up every day and is the same guy when he leaves as he is when he comes in. He is always helpful and cares about the people he is taking care of. Life Air Evac EMT of the Year award goes to Jason Powell.

The next award goes toward dedication. This person not only represents dedication to the EMS profession but to his community and his family. The EMS Paramedic of the Year award goes to Randy Carter."

Carter stated, "This is all a group effort and if we'll just hang in there and we will all get the job done."

Reach Kelly Rich at 615666-2440.

Copyright 2016 - Macon County Times, Lafayette, Tenn.