Robert G. Nixon Memorial Foundation Announces First Winners

EMS Magazine is proud to announce the first recipients of the 2009 Robert Nixon Scholarship. Throughout his 30-year EMS career, Robert Nixon, MBA, EMT-P, dedicated himself to the education of EMS professionals and served on EMS Magazine's editorial advisory board for many years. The scholarship was created in his memory by Bob's family to provide access to educational opportunities for deserving EMS professionals. Each winner will receive a three-day core conference registration and $1,000 to pay for travel expenses and lodging at EMS EXPO in Atlanta, GA, October 28-30.

Mac Kemp, deputy chief of operations for Leon County EMS in Tallahassee, FL, has been in EMS for 32 years and was an acquaintance and great admirer of Bob Nixon as an advocate of EMS education. "Bob's dedication in many areas of EMS education cannot be measured," Kemp wrote in his essay. "He influenced so many personally in his classes, his speeches and his writing. He always advocated professionalism and doing the right thing by his patients. He was the consummate EMS professional himself and contributed in so many ways to the job of being an EMS provider." Kemp was a training officer for 25 years, but still hopes to learn new things at the EXPO. "It doesn't matter how long you've been in EMS, there's always something new to learn," he says. "I'm also looking forward to making new contacts. EMS is the best profession in the world, and I love it."

Ron Freemont, NREMT-I, grew up in the small rural town of Decatur, NE, with 680 people who depended on him and his volunteer service. After working 15 years as a blackjack dealer in a local casino, Freemont joined the local fire department, then went on to become a first responder, EMT-Basic and an AHA BLS CPR instructor. Because it was difficult to stay current with EMS, he left his casino job to work for a paid service--Omaha Tribal Rescue--which covers a larger area and runs 1,200 calls a year. He also works for a hospital in Iowa. Freemont holds EMT-I licenses in both Iowa and Nebraska and is currently enrolled in a paramedic class. "Going to EMS EXPO will be an opportunity for a small-town instructor like me to get out in the mainstream and bring our education standards to the highest level," he says. "I'm sure there are differences in the larger cities that are beyond what we're doing. EMS is changing all the time, and I'm trying my best to stay current. I work with excellent people who need the new information, and I hope to reinforce the learning this scholarship will offer me."