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Shumaker is pictured with Joseph Schmider, Director PA Bureau of
EMS
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On the afternoon of Friday, August 15, 2008 over 300 individuals and
organizations attended the annual PA State EMS Awards Luncheon to
recognize those individuals and organizations that have served the
citizens of the Commonwealth with distinction. For the past 30 years,
the Department and PEHSC have chosen award recipients from nominations
received from across the Pennsylvania in their respective categories.
This year fifteen (15) awards, ranging from the First Responder of the
Year to the Ambulance Service of the Year were presented by Joseph
Schmider, Director, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, Janette
Kearney, Executive Director, PEHSC and J.R. Henry, President, PEHSC.
Purpose
of Award
To honor an individual EMT who has contributed
significantly to the development and growth of Prehospital Emergency
Medical Care in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Eligibility
Emergency Medical Technicians who are currently
certified in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
who have made a significant contribution in any of the following areas:
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Education and training of the community.
*
Planning and development of Basic Life Support systems within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
*
Leadership in the advancement of prehospital emergency medical
care as an allied health profession.
*
Education and training of prehospital care providers.
*
Leadership in the advancement of existing Basic Life Support
systems.
*
Leadership among peers.
Being a “life saver” took on a whole new meaning for Mike Shumaker on a
cold day in December 2007 when he responded to a motor vehicle collision
in Hooversville, PA. The roads were ice covered that
morning as they cautiously responded to the emergency dispatch.
Units arrived on scene to find the crash had occurred on an icy bridge.
Soon after arriving, his crew, which included the Hooversville EMS
Chief, began providing care to several patients when an approaching
emergency vehicle lost control on the icy pavement. The skidding vehicle
was headed directly towards the EMS Chief who was working through the
side window of a vehicle. Without regard for his personal safety Mike
sprang into action, pulling the Chief from the path of the oncoming
vehicle, saving him from serious injury or death.
You might think this is the end of the story, but far from it; other
providers were not as lucky that morning. In the aftermath of the
secondary collision lay two injured EMTs, both members of Mike’s crew.
After ensuring the Chief’s safety, he immediately went to his injured
colleagues and provided care until they were transported to the
hospital.
Mike has worked as a volunteer provider for many years, and has been
named as a top Hooversville
responder for the past 7 years. He currently serves his community as the
ambulance Vice President and Assistant Foreman, as well as Assistant
Chief of the Hooversville Fire Department. Mike is also the first
recipient of the “Star Award” from Southern Alleghenies EMS Council for
outstanding performance.
Shumaker Received Regional EMS Council Star
Award
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