The EMT-First Responder of the Year represents the best the profession has to offer. Recipients have demonstrated proficiency in patient care and have displayed professionalism which commands respect from patient and peers alike.

Jeremy J. Moore
Clay Volunteer Fire Department, Clay

• Has been an EMT-First Responder for the Clay Volunteer Fire Department since December, 1999, and a member of the department since September 1997.
• Has shown dedication to the first response program by making 43 of 48 first response runs this year.
• Recently appointed assistant coordinator of the department's first response program.
• Always present for trainings held in the county and at the department, looking continuously for ways to enhance his knowledge and skills as both a first responder and as a firefighter.
• Was instrumental in organizing, along with two other members, a fund raiser for a department firefighter with terminal cancer and no job or insurance, helping to raise over $2000 with a barbecue.
• Is awaiting the results of his National Registry EMT-Basic examination. 

EMT-Basic of the Year
Awarded by the EMS Branch, Kentucky Cabinet for Health Services

The EMT-Basic of the Year represents the best the profession has to offer. Recipients have demonstrated proficiency in patient care and have displayed professionalism which commands respect from patient and peers alike.

Tony Grider
Campbellsville-Taylor County Rescue,
Campbellsville

• Has been a member of Campbellsville - Taylor County Rescue for two years.
• Has advanced his training by becoming a certified firefighter, haz-mat technician, and swift water technician.
• Has demonstrated that patient care and professionalism are most important. He provides quality patient care, displays a positive attitude, and is totally community oriented.

EMT-Paramedic of the Year
Awarded by the EMS Branch, Kentucky Cabinet for Health Services

The EMT-Paramedic of the Year represents the best the profession has to offer. Recipients have demonstrated proficiency in patient care and have displayed professionalism which commands respect from patient and peers alike.

Kerry W. DeHaven
Methodist Hospital - Henderson EMS,
Henderson

• Employed by Methodist Hospital since March, 1991.
• Has been a member of the Clay Volunteer Fire Department since April, 1985, and serves as assistant chief / lead training officer and first response program coordinator.
• Was instrumental in forming the Clay Volunteer Fire Department First Response Program this year.
• An EMT-Basic since 1986 and a paramedic since 1989, he has also been a certified firefighter since 1986 and a Level II fire instructor since 1992.
• Involved with the fire prevention program taught at Clay Elementary School each year. 
• Was instrumental in organizing, along with two other members, a fund raiser for a department firefighter with terminal cancer and no job or insurance, helping to raise over $2000 with a barbecue.
• Member of the Webster County Firefighters Association and has served as president, vice-president, and is currently in his second term as treasuer.
• Currently serves on the board of the Kentucky Association of Emergency Medical Technicians.

Dispatcher of the Year
Awarded by the EMS Branch, Kentucky Cabinet for Health Services

The Dispatcher of the Year represents the best the profession has to offer. Recipients have demonstrated proficiency in communication skills and have displayed professionalism which commands respect from patient and peers alike.

Gary Hadley
Campbellsville-Taylor County Rescue,
Campbellsville
 

• Has been a member of Campbellsville - Taylor County Rescue for 15 years.
• Has always made a special effort as a dispatcher to accommodate everyone he comes in contact with.
• Is in charge for his department of all monthly run activity and also enters all training records to the state fire commission.
• His examples of quality, honesty and integrity has boosted moral for his department.
• During his 15-year membership, he has never missed a scheduled shift, which clearly demonstrates his dedication to his department and his community.

EMS Special Recognition Award
Awarded by the EMS Branch, Kentucky Cabinet for Health Services

The EMS Special Recognition Award was established to recognize an individual who has made significant contributions to the planning, development, implementation, or evaluation of EMS systems within their local community or the state as a whole. Recipients may be an EMS professional who has worked to improve the quality and availability of any component of EMS or trauma care systems, a public official, community leader, or other "lay person" who has spearheaded significant improvements to EMS in their community or the Commonwealth.

Neil Kellen
Methodist Hospital Ambulance, Henderson

• Director of Methodist Hospital Ambulance from March, 1977 through October, 1987, when he began working as a street paramedic. Returned to the director position from June 1991 through June 2000.
• Became a paramedic in 1980.
• Instrumental in organizing Henderson's first paramedic class.
• Instrumental in organizing the automatic external defibrillator program for Henderson County.
• Long-time member of the Kentucky Ambulance Providers Association, and served several years as its secretary.
• On his original resume in 1977 Neil listed his future plans as goals as "To participate in establishing an above average ambulance service for the City/County of Henderson." Neil easily achieved his goal, leaving behind at his retirement an ambulance service well respected throughout Kentucky.

Special Recognition Award
Awarded by the Kentucky Ambulance Providers Association

The Special Recognition Award is presented in recognition of Mr. Calhoun's continued efforts to improve health care in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Robert Calhoun
Manager, Kentucky EMS Branch

Dr. Jack Carey Award
Awarded by the Kentucky EMT Instructors Association

The Dr. Jack Carey Award, made possible by a grant from Rohm and Haas, Inc., is dedicated to the memory of the late Dr. Carey, a Lexington physician who helped spearhead the development of emergency medicine in Kentucky, and who aided many EMS responders in furthering their education and training, assisting wherever necessary to better EMS care in the state. The award honors an EMT-Instructor who is outstanding in the training they provide, furthering the future of EMTs and all EMS providers in the state.

Dale Edmondson
Fort Thomas

• Became an EMT in 1979, a paramedic in 11981, and an EMT-Instructor in 1985.
• Taught EMT classes at Northern Kentucky University for 15 years.
• Instructed over 500 EMTs at Northern Kentucky University, along with numerous first responder and paramedic courses.
• Assisted writing the original semi-automatic external defibrillator program for the state.
• Worked with Northern Kentucky EMS for 10 years as assistant director and oversaw their paramedic training program.
• Recently retired from teaching EMT classes following his appointment last January as fire chief of the Fort Thomas Fire Department.