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National EMS employees recognized
EMS---P1010979
Some of the employees recognized at the Region 10 EMS Banquet on May 18 includes (left-to-right) Chuck Savage, John Miller, Melissa Herron, Wendy Ryan and Jami Benson
Six National EMS employees recently received recognition for accomplishments they have achieved in the field of pre-hospital emergency care.

Toni Fauci, an EMS Shift Commander in Rockdale County, was presented the prestigious EMT of the Year Award by the Rockdale County VFW Post 5290. Fauci, a Paramedic for eight years, was recognized not only for his ability to lead his shift by example, but also for his exceptional skills as a medic. He is also an active instructor in basic life support, advanced life support, and in pediatric advanced life support.

Five other National EMS employees were honored by the Northeast Georgia EMS Council on Monday evening, May 18, during the 18th Annual EMS and Awards Banquet for Region 10 held at the Oconee Civic Center.

EMTs Melissa Herron and Jami Benson, and Paramedic John Miller were each recipients of the EMT of the Year Award for their respective EMS Services. Herron, who has worked in the Athens / Oconee area for seven years, was recognized for her commitment to injury prevention programs and for receiving nine SAVE pins from Athens Regional Medical Center for patients she has helped to resuscitate. Benson, a medic in Morgan County for nine years, was commended for her active involvement in the Cadet and Explorer Programs in Morgan County. Miller, a 19-year veteran working in Athens / Oconee, was praised for his integrity and consistency as a Medic, and for being a positive role model for others in the department and the region.

In addition, National EMS Paramedics, Wendy Ryan and Chuck Savage, received the distinguished Chairman's Meritorious Award for their quick actions in resuscitating a public safety officer who was critically stabbed in December 2007 while working off-duty at Kroger in Athens. The police officer, Sgt. Courtney Gale, has made a remarkable recovery and attended the banquet with the medics and the registered nurse, Laura Sullivan, who was a first responder on the scene.

Benny Atkins, chief operating officer for National EMS, said he is very proud of not only the medics who were honored, but also for the EMTs, paramedics, and dispatchers with National EMS who are dedicated to providing day-to-day lifesaving services on the medical front line. "Our mission for over 32 years has always been to provide pre-hospital care and transportation to our patients and exceeding our community's expectations," Atkins said. "We continue to work toward that goal and to make yesterday's excellence, today's standard."