His telephone CPR instructions have been responsible for dozens of cardiac arrest reversals. The EMS Communications Specialist of the Year award went to Thomas Lundquist of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department Communications Division.

She has an exceptional ability to cultivate a rich enthusiasm for EMS and a lifelong commitment to learning in her students, the release said, noting that her outstanding teaching and educational coordination have maximally improved prehospital services in Saratoga County and beyond.

Her care and concern for each and every student has not only earned her the nickname, “Mama Jean,” but is reflected in her consistently near 100% pass rates in her courses. This year’s local EMS Educator of Excellence is Jean Tranka, who has served as a Certified Instructor Coordinator for the Saratoga County EMS Council for over 20 years. Their vaccination efforts and COVID test kit distribution not only saved lives and prevented hospitalizations, the release said, but earned these dedicated volunteers the respect and admiration of Saratoga County EMS. Formed in 1962, the agency remains the only all-volunteer ambulance service in Saratoga County, staffed by 22 volunteers, answering 100 calls annually and supported entirely by community donations.

The title of EMS Agency of the Year was awarded to the Edinburg Emergency Squad, an all-volunteer, nimble, dynamic service organization that has consistently embraced change, and delivered the highest quality EMS coupled with enhanced services to their citizens and community, according to a press release from the county. The Saratoga County Office of Emergency Management and the Saratoga County EMS Council recently announced the recipients of the 2022 Saratoga County EMS Awards, which recognize emergency services personnel who show individual or team heroism above and beyond the ordinary call of duty.Īn awards ceremony was held on July 14 at the Saratoga County Public Safety Building in Ballston Spa during a meeting of the council.

Nimble desk