June Monthly Safety Article.. A Word From Nature Coast EMS
Author: Katie Lucas, Nature Coast EMS PIO
The last few weeks have been extremely busy here at Nature Coast EMS. Last month I mentioned National EMS Week in celebration of heroes in emergency medical services. The theme “More than a job. A calling,” nailed the truth of it all. Our dedicated team members put their lives on the line. Their hours are long and hard. Our team members also face some of the most horrific accidents and save the lives of complete strangers every day.
Do you know what else? Not everyone is cut out for an EMS career; the grueling hours, perfecting the medical skills, working within the State protocols, dealing with distressed hurt patients, not to mention …the blood. It takes someone special, and we have 85 of them. If it were up to me, I’d tell them everyday how wonderful they are and how proud we all are to have them on our team. They are “The Right Stuff” and it is a comfort that Nature Coast EMS has them just in case you or someone you love needs to be saved. Here are two recent examples of why you should be proud.
Every year Nature Coast EMS nominates one of its best and brightest caregivers to the American Ambulance Association’s Stars of Life award ceremony in Washington, D.C. The Stars of Life award recognizes and celebrates the achievements of individuals working in the ambulance industry. It is the highest award an EMS caregiver can receive. We are proud to announce Lori Thompson, Nature Coast EMS Critical Care Paramedic was awarded American Ambulance Association 2011 Star of Life.
The Annual Excellence in EMS Awards recognizes the outstanding efforts of men and women who serve their communities through injury prevention, education activities and saving lives on the front line of Florida’s health care system. This award pays tribute to Florida’s real life heroes. Nature Coast is proud to announce that Don Lohr received the 2012 Florida EMT of the Year Award.
The professional team members of Nature Coast EMS go whenever and wherever you need us and want to remind you to that although sun, fun and water are the perfect mix during summer you should always be aware. It’s wonderful, until someone is distracted or simply not paying attention. Swimming pools are a nice cool way to beat the heat, until you hear “I only turned my back for a second.” Unfortunately, a second is all it takes to turn a world upside down.
Nature Coast EMS encourages you have fun, but to take your time and always look after each other.
As always, be safe, take care and stay well!
Katie Lucas is the Public Information Officer at Nature Coast EMS. If you would like schedule a presentation, or receive our VIP Constant Contact newsletter, she can be reached at (352) 249-4730 or katie.lucas@naturecoastems.org. Nature Coast EMS is an accredited nonprofit 501(c)3 established in 2000 to provide emergency medical services to Citrus County. Watch “Every Minute Counts” hosted by Mike Hall, CEO, Nature Coast EMS, on WYKE TV at 8:00 p.m. Tuesdays and 10:00 a.m. on Wednesdays. Some of the information for this article was ascertained from www.floridasterling.com. Nature Coast EMS does not call soliciting donations on behalf of our Paramedics and EMTs. The Citrus County Professional Paramedics and EMTs Local 365 is a union, and Nature Coast EMS team members do not benefit from any donation to this organization.
We have a name; it’s Nature Coast EMS. It is “not the ambulance”, or “EMS arrived on scene,” as referred to in news stories; its Nature Coast EMS. I know it may sound trifle, but other organizations are referred to by name, I think it’s time we are too. Nature Coast EMS is not part of a government agency and we are not part of the Citrus County Sheriff’s office either. Nature Coast EMS is an accredited nonprofit 501(c)3 established in 2000 to provide emergency medical services in Citrus County and we are both proud and privileged to do so.
