Tidewater EMS Council Recognizes Excellence
(Chesapeake, Va.) – The Tidewater Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council, Inc., celebrated the 2023 regional EMS awards, May 20th during a special dinner ceremony at The Healthcare Education EXPO. The council presented top honors to the individuals and organizations considered for their remarkable contributions to the EMS field.
This year’s award recipients have demonstrated a true commitment to excellence and a passion for serving others. They continually strive to provide the highest quality of care when it is needed most. “It is an honor every year to have the opportunity to bring some much-needed and well-deserved recognition to the best EMS responders, instructors, dispatchers, nurses and agencies in the Tidewater region and Commonwealth of Virginia,” said David Long, executive director of the Tidewater EMS Council, Inc. “we’re thankful for the quality care they and others who are part of the healthcare continuum provide daily to ensure patients in our region experience a timely response with skillful quality treatment.”
Recipients of this year’s regional awards now have the chance to compete for the prestigious 2023 Governor’s EMS Awards, which will be announced later this year. Winners will be presented with a trophy and a certificate signed by the Governor.
The 2023 Tidewater EMS Council Regional Award Recipients:
Excellence in EMS (R.C. Dailey Award) – Bailey Phillips, Chesapeake Fire Department
Outstanding EMS Leadership (Bruce W. Edwards Award) – Jeffrey Matthews, Suffolk Fire & Rescue Department
Outstanding EMS Agency Award – Franklin Fire-Rescue, Franklin Fire-Rescue
Outstanding Pre-Hospital EMS Provider Award – Daniel “Charlie” Logan, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Fire and Emergency Services
Physician with Outstanding Contribution to EMS (Frank M. Yeiser, Jr., MD Award) – Lewis Siegel, MD, Chesapeake Fire Department
Outstanding Contribution to EMS Health & Safety Award – Taylor Jones, Virginia Beach EMS
Regional EMS Award for Innovation Excellence in EMS – Tidewater EMS Council, Chesapeake, VA
Outstanding Contribution to EMS for Children Award – CHKD Transport Team, Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughters
Regional EMS Award for Nurse with Outstanding Contribution to EMS – Pam Blais, Tidewater ENA
Regional EMS Award for Outstanding Contribution to EMS by a High School Senior – Michael “Drew” Rich, Virginia Beach EMS / Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad
Outstanding Prehospital Educator (James M. Wagenbach Award) – Robert Barrett, Suffolk Fire & Rescue Department
Outstanding Contribution to EMS Telecommunications Award – Amanda Echevarria, Chesapeake Public Safety Telecommunicator
Outstanding Contribution to EMS Emergency Preparedness and Response – Ira and Paula Swartz, H.E.A.R.T. Radio Team
Special Recognition:
Lifetime Achievement (James “Jim” Chandler Award) – Ed Brazle, Retired Chief of Virginia Beach EMS