Vermont's Annual EMS Conference
Date and Registration Information
March 25 - 29, 2009
Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center
Burlington, VT
Thank you to all who attend our annual conference, support it with your time and talents, and help to make it such an enjoyable and successful event.
- 2009 Conference Brochure
- Registration Form (manual method of registering)
- On-Line Registration
Peer Recognition
Conference Vendors Sought
Every fall we send a mailing to several hundred vendors around the country. The Vermont EMS Conference has been fortunate to have the support of quality vendors who attend regularly. We are looking to expand the vendor exhibits for 2009, and generate some new vendor relationships.
Now is your chance to help. Do you have vendors with whom your service or members work on a regular basis? Do you feel that the EMS Conference venue would be of interest to them?
Specific questions about vendor exhibition should be directed to 802-863-7260.
2008 EMS Conference Award Recipients
Congratulations to all our 2008 Award Recipients!
2008 Basic Rescuer of the Year
Judith Holmes of the Middlebury Volunteer Ambulance Association
Judith combines regular duty on her busy volunteer ambulance service with service as a first responder in the community where she lives. She is also a busy career professional, owns a physical therapy business and supports the physical therapy needs of the United States Figure Skating Team. This background enables her to teach body mechanics and improve the safety of daily operations for her EMS colleagues. Her eagerness to refine her skills, combined with her compassionate approach to patient care, gives her the self-confidence and the abilities of a veteran.
2008 Advanced Rescuer of the Year
David Fuller of Middlebury Volunteer Ambulance Association
Every nomination letter submitted for David Fuller cited the respect of EMS colleagues for his excellent clinical skills. He exhibits a strong commitment to his family as well as EMS. He represents a "legacy EMT"; his father has also been a respected EMS provider for more than 20 years. David is very active within his organization for emergency responses, administers more medications than any other EMS provider on his squad, and maintains excellent case reviews by medical direction physicians.
2008 EMS System Improvement Award
Paula Mayer of Middlebury Volunteer Ambulance Association
Termed a "quiet hero" among her colleagues and called "an angel" by a patient, Paula Mayer has improved her local system for over 10 years by vigilant attention to detail and unselfish dedication. She has helped her squad with significant visible community fundraising efforts, and connects EMS with the community in a positive light. Paula is a long-time member of the board of directors for her squad and public relations officer.
2008 First Responder Service of the Year
Town Line First Response, Bridport, VT
Town Line First Response has been providing service for 30 years. The active membership roster of 25 persons could easily serve as a "Who's Who" for EMS District 7. The geography covered means they are involved with two different ambulance services in two different districts. This squad is committed to preventing injuries. They have two Child Passenger Safety Seat Technicians and in 2006 helped distribute and fit over 100 bicycle helmets.
2008 Ambulance Service of the Year
CALEX Ambulance Service, St. Johnsbury, VT
Like many other EMS agencies, this paramedic-level service saw double-digit increases in call volume during 2006 and 2007, with total calls rising above 2,000 annually. Their service area includes 6 towns, 2 counties and a 250-square mile rural service area. CALEX is managed by a community-based board of directors and has a staff of 25 members to staff the service's three ambulances, as well as a paramedic non-transport response vehicle.
Their mission statement says it all, reflecting the beliefs of those associated with CALEX Ambulance Service: "...A community-based non-profit agency dedicated to excellence in emergency healthcare and training."
2008 Hospital of the Year
Copley Hospital, Morrisville, VT
The face of community hospitals in Vermont is changing. Today, 50% of Vermont's hospitals providing emergency department care are critical access hospitals. This brings to bear a whole new set of challenges, patterns of patient transfers and service to primary hospital communities.
Copley Hospital is successfully meeting the challenge of a new model for patient services. Partnering with EMS is a key element of its success. Nursing and EMS are strongly integrated. The EMS District Training Coordinator and the nurse manager of the Emergency Departmentis are Nurse/Paramedics. Other nurses have EMS involvement, and the hospital employs several EMTs and Paramedics for Emergency Department functions. Involved and experienced physician medical direction has encouraged the advancement of Paramedic care. By asking the question, "What is right for the patient?" Copley Hospital has shaped local policies and procedures in ways that support a team approach to the best possible care with the resources available.
Chuck Hoag Memorial Scholarship Award
Alf Rylander of White River Valley Ambulance and DHART
Alf Rylander has been in EMS for almost 30 years. He has worked for several different Vermont squads and contributed to the professional development of countless EMTs as an instructor. Alf will enter nursing school at Vermont Technical College this fall and will begin the task of juggling studies, work, family and teaching. We know that he will be a part of the solution to tomorrow's emergency care needs as both a nurse and paramedic.
2008 Vermont Safe Kids Injury Prevention Award
Greg Gould, Winhall Police and Rescue and Jamaica Rescue
The Vermont Safe Kids Injury Prevention Award is given annually, in honor of the work done by National Safe Kids to an EMS provider who has played an active and visible role in preventing childhood injuries. This year's award was given to Gregory Gould of Winhall Police and Rescue, and Jamaica Rescue.
Greg is an EMT-I03 who works full time for a police-based first response agency. He is also a School Resource Officer. Greg teaches weekly and has covered an impressive list of topics including wilderness safety and navigation, fire and stranger safety, safe Halloween practices, alcohol, drug and tobacco prevention, bicycle safety, internet safety, and sexual assault prevention. He is also a Child Passenger Safety Technician. Wearing his specific EMS hat, he is a CPR and First Aid instructor, in addition to an emergency responder with his 2 agencies.
2008 Child Passenger Safety Technician of the Year
Chuck Welch, Vergennes Area Rescue Squad, Vergennes, VT
Just before the 2008 Conference, we received word from staff at Vergennes Area Rescue Squad that Chuck Welch had been awarded Child Passenger Safety Technician of the Year by the Governor's Highway Safety Program. Nice work, Chuck, and thanks for all that you are doing with Vergennes Area Rescue Squad in Addison County.
2009 Award Nominations
For many years, the Vermont Department of Health Office of EMS and Injury Prevention (VTEMS) has sponsored an awards recognition program at the Vermont EMS Conference. These awards are an excellent opportunity to recognize individuals and organizations in the EMS community for their contributions.
The award categories are designed to allow for recognition of a wide variety of noteworthy contributions to the EMS system. Awards are primarily based more on sustained performance, rather than an isolated heroic event or incident. Two years ago, based on recommendations by a peer committee, we modified the number and types of awards to better recognize our hard working EMS providers.
Nomination Procedures
Nominations are welcome from anyone, and are accepted any time in the year preceding the next EMS Conference.
When writing a nomination letter, please include your name, the nominee's name, title and EMS organization (or other affiliation depending upon award category). It is not necessary to have multiple letters submitted in support of a given nomination. A single "quality" nomination letter is often the most effective.
Letters should be easy to comprehend and thorough in describing the accomplishments of a nominee. Here are a few helpful hints about writing and submitting a letter of nomination:
- Consider the awards criteria for the individual or organization.
- Remember, awards are based on an individual or service's overall contributions. Avoid focusing on single acts of heroism.
- Be sure the nominee fits the criteria for the award category.
- Keep in mind that your nomination letter will be read by committee members who may have little familiarity with the person, organization or service you are describing.
- Feel free to attach additional materials - such as newspaper articles, reports, or similar supporting documents - that shed light on the background of the nominee.
- Please arrange for the nominee or service to be present at the Vermont EMS Awards Ceremony held Saturday, March 28, 2009.
Read the Complete Awards Criteria for the 2009 EMS Awards.