Two Berrien County First Responders who put their lives on the line routinely to save others are among nearly 30 EMS professionals cited today in Lansing for going above and beyond the call of duty.
Frank DeLaTorre of Coloma and Jason Wiley of Berrien Springs were honored today at the state Capitol as “Stars of Life” by the Michigan Association of Ambulance Services in the Lansing ceremonies.
It is Ambulance Awareness Day at the Capitol, with nearly 30 EMS techs honored from all over the state in the biennial “Stars of Life” ceremony which celebrates unsung heroes in the ambulance industry who play a critical role in the healthcare of Michigan residents.
Angela Madden is Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Ambulance Services. She says, “EMS professionals deserve our appreciation for answering the call to help residents in-need, 24-hours-a day, 365 days-a-year,” adding, “Stars of Life is about honoring those professionals who have gone above and beyond to protect Michiganders and advance the EMS industry.”
DeLaTorre is a 27-year veteran Paramedic/Shift Captain with SW Michigan Community Ambulance Service, and Wiley brings 18 years of service as Operations Manager for Medic 1 Ambulance based in Benton Harbor.
Nominees like DeLaToree and Wiley include individuals who have been: named employees of the year…earned notable community contributions…have impressive service records…have received community honors and more. This year, 29 individuals were recognized, including paramedics, emergency medical technicians and operations team members. The honorees include:
- Sandra Butler of Ypsilanti: Emergent Health Partners – marketing/community relations, 6 years of service
- Eric Daniels of West Olive: Life EMS Ambulance – integrated care paramedic, 25 years of service
- Frank DeLaTorre of Coloma: SW Michigan Community Ambulance –paramedic/shift captain, 27 years of service
- Daniel Edsall of Lake Orion: Star EMS – paramedic/RN, 10 years of service
- Jamie Enyedy of Saline: Emergent Health Partners – internal education instructor/paramedic, 15 years of service
- Tom Fineis of Pinckney: Livingston County EMS – paramedic, four years of service
- Patrick Fox of Yale: Richmond Lenox EMS – emergency medical technician, three years of service
- Ian Grant of Clarkston: Superior Ambulance – paramedic, nine years of service.
- Turquoise Greschak of Richmond: Superior Ambulance – paramedic, nine years of service
- Cody Kata of Kimball: Tri-Hospital EMS – emergency medical technician – two years of service
- Vikki Kleiner of Westland: Emergent Health Partners – PACE coordinator, 14 years of service
- Lyn LaCourse of Litchfield: Reading Emergency Unit – critical care paramedic, nine years of service
- Elizabeth Manoyian of St. Clair: Tri-Hospital EMS – emergency medical technician, three years of service
- David Maryanski of Canton: Huron Valley Ambulance – advanced emergency technician, three years of service
- Leah Meiner of Waterford: Star EMS – emergency medical technician, three years of service
- Gary Montgomery of Croswell: Tri-Hospital EMS – paramedic, 10 years of service
- Amber Nebor of Prudenville: Denton Township Ambulance Service – paramedic, 14 years of service
- Pete Nicholson of Houghton Lake: Mobile Medical Response – paramedic, 10 years of service
- Chuck Rork of Redford: Emergent Health Partners – maintenance technician, 31 years of service
- Kathy Rosenbergh of Howell: Livingston County EMS – administrative specialist, 27 years of service
- Frank Simone of Macomb: Medstar Ambulance – operations supervisor, 15 years of service
- Jeff Spangler of Burton: Medstar Ambulance – paramedic, 16 years of service
- Amanda Steffy of Cottrellville: Tri-Hospital EMS – paramedic, eight years of service
- John Storer of Kalamazoo: LifeCare Ambulance Service – emergency medical technician, two years of service
- Gary Truitt of Jonesville: Jackson Community Ambulance – senior paramedic/field training officer, eight years of service
- Joe Weindorf of Ann Arbor: Emergent Health Partners – system controller/emergency medical technician, two years of service
- Spencer White of New Haven: Richmond Lenox EMS – three years of service
- Jason Wiley of Berrien Springs: Medic 1 Ambulance – operations manager, 18 years of service
- Michael Young of Tecumseh: Huron Valley Ambulance – senior paramedic, three years of service
The Michigan Association of Ambulance Services is a statewide trade association representing and advocating for ambulance services. Last year, MAAS members were responsible for nearly 900,000 or 63-percent of ambulance transports in Michigan. MAAS members also provide community paramedicine, ER diversion and 9-1-1 services in several areas of Michigan. For more information, visit online at www.miambulance.org.
