Fincastle — On Thursday, June 11, the Western Virginia Emergency Medical Services Council held its Regional Emergency Medical Service Awards ceremony and EMS appreciation event at Smith Mountain Lake Community Park. Eleven individuals and organizations were recognized for outstanding accomplishments and achievements in emergency medical services in the Western Virginia region.
Botetourt County Emergency Services (BCES) was awarded “Outstanding EMS Agency” for 2009. In addition, the County’s Medical Director, Dr. Jeffery Turner, was named “Outstanding EMS Physician,” and Cloverdale Elementary Nurse, Kae Bruch, was recognized for “Outstanding Contribution to EMS for Children.” Also associated with the County is “Outstanding Contribution to EMS” winner Dr. Paul Frantz, with whom BCES closely partners on the regional Heart Alert Initiative, designed to increase survival rates of rural heart attack victims.

The Western Virginia region encompasses twelve counties and six cities, covering 5,674 square miles. BCES competed with the region’s 105 EMS agencies (career and volunteer) for the award. Award recipients will now advance to the state competition for the Governor’s EMS awards. Results will be announced at the annual EMS Symposium on November 14th.
For more information, contact
Spencer Suter, Emergency Services Manager
540-473-8301 ssuter@botetourt.org

Submitted by Wendy Farkas