LaRue County EMS director retires

LaRue County EMS Press Release

HODGENVILLE — Patrick Helm, Director of Larue County EMS, has announced his retirement after 27 years of service.  Patrick began his commitment to LaRue County EMS on March 15, 1982 as an emergency medicine technician.  He continued to serve LaRue County as a paramedic, and in 1990, Patrick assumed the position of Director of Larue County EMS.

As director, Patrick was able to implement changes vital to the health of the citizens of LaRue County and to the function of para-medicine within the county.  Upon assuming the role of director, Patrick began to lay the groundwork for an advanced life support service.  This goal was achieved in 1994 after Dr. Don Miller accepted the role of Medical Director for the EMS service and worked in close collaboration with Patrick to bring this standard of practice to LaRue County. 

Patrick’s term as director has quietly made an impact imperative to the wellbeing of the community in which he served.  In conjunction with the Buffalo Fire Department, Patrick was able to establish the first countywide AED program in the region.  For the safety of the EMS crews and the public, Patrick has diligently upgraded equipment, communications systems and vehicles.  Patrick was fundamental in increasing the number of EMTs and paramedics on staff and increasing the ambulance fleet from 2 trucks to 4. 

During his tenure as director, Patrick literally brought LaRue County EMS out of the basement.  The hardworking men and women who served the county were once housed in one room in the basement of the courthouse.  Patrick fought for, and won, the support to design and build a facility appropriate for the LaRue County EMS crews.   

Patrick Helm, Director of Larue County EMS, retires after serving out his final shift today, May 29, 2009.  He is a director who has set an example for his crews by continuing to work at their sides, covering 64 hours a week on an ambulance delivering care to those in need. Patrick is not a director who sits behind a desk.  Patrick retires after 27 years of honorable and dedicated service to his crew and to the public of LaRue County, the longest time served by an emergency provider in the county.

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