It’s that time of year again when the Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps gathers to honor its members and reflect on another successful year.
At its annual awards banquet Saturday at the Bayou Restaurant, Chief Jeremy Mothershed focused his presentation on the importance of having a positive attitude on the job.
“Our service can only be as great as the ones providing it,” Mothershed said.
He also discussed the similarities between EMS members and airplane pilots, and the issues they face.
The Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps responded to 1,882 calls for service in 2009, an increase of about 5 percent compared to 2008, according to Mothershed.
Mothershed the corps’ average response time was less than three minutes.
“We continue to strive for an unmatched level of service,’” he said.
Awards for years of service were distributed in increments of five, 10, 15, 20 and 30 years.
Receiving recognition for five years were Stacy Daniels, Bob Martin, Ryan Petrovic and Denise Buchanan. Bobbi Zachry was given an award for 10 years of service.
Mark Kane and Kymberlie McFadden were recognized for 15 years of service, and Sue Christy was given an award for 20 years of service.
Those receiving awards for 30 years of service were Mark Hemler and Luanne Schweers.
The President’s Awards, presented by President Chad Packard, went to Ron Kane, who responded to 580 calls.
Packard said Ron Kane was selected because he was the member who was always there to make things happen.
The Lifesaving Award went to a crew dispatched to a victim of cardiac arrest on Feb. 22. The group consisted of members Debbie Way, Peter Quackenbush, Brian Minutoli, Melissa Quackenbush, Ron Kane and Mothershed. The Susquehanna Hose Company Division 5 was also recognized for its involvement in the Feb. 22 call for service.
Daniel “Tiny” McKinney is the Top Responder for 2009 with 592 calls for service. He was also the recipient of an Outstanding Service award, along with Cindy and Abe Alba.
Joseph Gamatoria was named “Rookie of the Year” for 2009, with 232 calls for service.
Peter Quackenbush, who joined the Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps in 2003, is the 2009 EMS Person of the Year.
Mothershed said Quackenbush has held various offices in the company and volunteered to fulfill numerous positions to aid the administration over the years.
He said Quackenbush is an “honorable and dedicated individual” who is always willing to help out.
Quackenbush was unable to be at the banquet, so his daughter, Melissa, accepted the award on his behalf.
Quackenbush responded to 194 calls for service in 2009.
In appreciation for their support of the corps, community service recognitions went to local businesses including Parts Plus, Collette’s Service Center, Accurate Air, Bill Bateman’s and Bayou Restaurant. Recognition also went to the Harford Memorial Hospital emergency room; Harford County Emergency Operations Center; the Havre de Grace Police Department; the Susquehanna Hose Company; and Harford EMS Foundation representatives.
The top 10 responders for 2009 are McKinney with 592 calls; Ron Kane with 580; Sierra Hines with 384; Robert Rice with 241; Gamatoria with 232; Josh Welsh with 195; Peter Quackenbush with 194; Buchanan with 180; Sherry Moore with 142; and Mothershed with 119.
The installation of officers by Mayor Wayne Dougherty also took place before the conclusion of the banquet.
Master of Ceremonies Richard K. Brooks III, director of EMS for Cecil County, concluded the banquet with overall praise of the ambulance corps.
“The past 20 years that I have been associated with the company, it has always been above the mark,” he said.