Redmond, WA – Emergency medical personnel were honored for their dedication and achievements last week during the annual Fire-Rescue Med Show in Las Vegas. Medtronic, a manufacturer of external defibrillators and other medical devices, sponsored both the Heart Safe Community and James O. Page awards that were presented to outstanding members of fire and emergency medical service (EMS) departments who have helped save lives due to their tireless leadership and innovation.
“我们认为重要的是认识到那些embrace and act on their dedication to saving lives,” said Robert White, president of Medtronic’s Emergency Response Systems business unit. “We commend these organizations and individuals for making their communities safer places to live.”
The Heart Safe Community Award applauds fire and EMS departments that have made a difference in their communities by creating or promoting public access defibrillation (PAD) programs. This year’s recipients were the Bloomfield Township, Michigan Fire Department and the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department. Both have implemented PAD programs in their areas as well as continuously providing education for their residents about the need for PAD.
This year’s James O. Page award was presented to the International Association of Fire Chief’s Executive Director Garry L. Briese, CAE. The award is presented to an individual who has played a key role in creating or promoting non-clinical innovation and achievements in fire service management. The award is named for James O. Page who has been a visionary and national leader in fire service EMS for more than three decades. Briese has served as the association’s executive director for 19 years. Prior to his current position, he spent the previous 15 years as the executive director of the Florida College of Emergency Physicians. He has over 30 years of experience in the fire service, 29 years as a volunteer and one year as a paid firefighter.
The International Association of Fire Chiefs’ EMS section determines the award criteria, reviews the applicants and selects the recipients of these awards. These awards were first presented in 2001.
