To help make the recognition special, Stratford's EMS recently applied for and been approved as a "Certifying Organization" for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award Program. The President's Volunteer Service Award is the premier national volunteer awards program, encouraging citizens to live a life of service through presidential gratitude and national recognition.
The program has four different award levels including the distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award. The awards are determined by the PVSA program based on volunteer hours measured over a 12 month period, or lifetime achievement.
In 2015, Stratford EMS volunteers gave more than 21,000 hours to the department. This equates to almost $400,000 in savings.
“We have one of the strongest volunteer programs in the state. Our volunteers continue to provide a tremendous and valuable service to SEMS and the community. We are very proud of our volunteers,” said Michael Loiz, director of EMS.
To recognize the volunteers, the Director of Public Safety, the mayor and the town of Stratford and the EMS held its first Volunteer Recognition Ceremony at Town Hall in Council Chambers on Thursday, April 14.
The volunteers recognized included:
- Charles “Mick” McCullough EMT (posthumously)
- Angelo Cimino EMR
- Barry Kelly EMT
- Brian Cepetelli EMT
- Carol Stosse Paramedic
- Christopher Costa EMR
- David Ingmanson EMT
- Gavin Forrester EMT
- Helen “Bunnie” McQuilton EMT
- Jessica Archick EMT
- John Butler EMT
- Karen Marino EMT
- Laurie Meyers EMT
- Mary Wheeling EMT
- Matthew White EMR
- Richard Marino EMT
- Ruth Smith EMT
- Steven Kennedy EMT
They also presented awards to volunteers in the gold, silver and bronze categories.
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