American Ambulance Association Recognizes Shining Stars

     Every year in May, just before EMS Week, the American Ambulance Association invites paramedics and EMTs from around the country to a three-day-long event in Washington, DC. It's an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of a few, while recognizing the contributions of tens of thousands of EMS providers every day.

     The program is called the Stars of Life Celebration. I'm proud to say I was invited to participate this year as one of 114 Stars of Life from all over the country and as far away as Hawaii. All of the Stars are prehospital field providers or communication center workers. Some are supervisors, and some have other administrative duties in addition to being in the back of an ambulance or in front of a dispatch console, but all know what it means to do this job.

     That knowledge is important, because one of the reasons the program is held in Washington is to give the honorees a chance to meet with lawmakers. The meetings let members of Congress put faces on the paramedics, EMTs and dispatchers who provide emergency medical care in their communities back home.

     The events in Washington began with a dinner on Monday, May 8. Part of the Star of Life experience is meeting with senators and members of the House of Representatives. During the opening evening ceremonies, we were brought up to date on the function and concerns of the American Ambulance Association and briefed on Capitol Hill visits slated for the next two days.

     The ceremonies included a motivational speech by 2006 Olympian Emily Cook, who helped present us with medals to wear during official activities. The first night concluded with a bus tour of the presidential monuments and war memorials around the tidal basin. We were amazed at the splendor and power of the beautifully lit monuments.

     On Tuesday, May 9, we were treated to a tour of the White House. The rest of the day was spent mostly at Capitol Hill, visiting Congressional representatives and their aides. Many of the Stars received tours of the Capitol conducted by aides and, in some cases, the members themselves. It is an amazing thing to witness Congress behind the scenes. Tunnels connect modern office buildings with the 300-year-old home of our nation's legislature. Two of those tunnels house Congress's personal subway systems. Some lucky Stars even hitched a ride.

     Tuesday's activities were capped by another celebratory dinner and individual recognition of the Stars. Drew Dawson, director of the EMS Office of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, was the keynote speaker.

     The awards presentation was interrupted by a visit from Dr. Richard Carmona, Surgeon General of the United States. Fresh from a dinner at the White House with President and Mrs. Bush, Dr. Carmona congratulated us on our achievements and voiced his support for emergency medical services. Until then, most of the Stars were unaware that the surgeon general had been a paramedic for several years before he became a physician. His surprise appearance infused even more excitement into an already charged atmosphere. This was a night these prehospital professionals and their families would cherish as career highs.

     Wednesday included more congressional visits. Representative Jon C. Porter of Nevada read a statement into the Congressional Record recognizing a crew from his hometown:
     "Gerald Burkin and Lynn Mayers have also risked their own safety in the line of duty. While Gerald, Lynn and an intern were setting up some warning devices, another vehicle struck Gerald and Lynn and they both sustained serious injuries. Even pinned between the ambulance and the vehicle, they maintained contact with the dispatch center via radio and cell phone."

     The congressman's account of Gerald's and Lynn's harrowing experience highlights the types of stories many of the Stars brought with them. Some were credited with extraordinary saves and some with quieter contributions of compassion and patient care. About half of the Stars, myself included, responded to the Gulf Coast after (or during) hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The vast majority of Stars were honored not for isolated feats of bravery or skill, but for careers full of accomplishments.

     The event was held for 114 honorees, but it is meant to celebrate the dedication to patient care and everyday emergency response by thousands of paramedics, EMTs and EMDs. We all want to be recognized by our peers. Indeed, it's an incredible feeling when it happens. However, if you asked all the EMSers in the room if they would rather have an award or bring in a cardiac arrest victim and see that patient walk out of the hospital...

     If you're in EMS, you already know the answer to that question.

Rod Brouhard is a paramedic for American Medical Response in Modesto, CA, and former director of the EMS program at Modesto Junior College.