Damariscotta Man Named Maine EMS of the Year

John Gallagher, of the Central Lincoln County Ambulance Service, was named EMS of the Year at the Maine State Grange convention in Skowhegan Oct. 16.

Gallagher, of Damariscotta, was nominated for the Maine State Grange Community Service Outstanding EMS award for his lifetime commitment to the ambulance service by

Willow Grange, of Jefferson.

Gallagher was presented the award by Maine State Grange Community Service Chairman Christine Corliss.

Gallagher was chosen for the award out of candidates from all over the state. The top candidates were interviewed by peers in their field.

He is now a candidate for the Northeast Regional Outstanding EMS award, and will be interviewed in New Hampshire Jan. 10.

“I never thought than anyone could stun an Irishman into speechlessness. You and the Grange did just that. After the presentation Thursday evening, I was completely

overcome by the recognition given to police, fire, and EMS; I was truly speechless. Most police, fire, and EMS providers do our work in the background, not seeking any reward or

acknowledgment.

These awards far exceeded any recognition we would have ever expected,” Gallagher said.

This is the first year Maine has participated in the award process, which honors fire, Police, EMS, and canine handlers. Roger Revelle, of Vienna, received the

firefighter award; Matt Cyr, of Windham, the police award; and Michelle Small, with Sampson of Bath, received the canine award.

Gallagher had been involved with the CLC Ambulance Service for 42 years. The ambulance service formed in January 1972, and Gallagher joined in October of that year.

He has over 50 years of service to the community as a fireman and ambulance attendant.

He served as a volunteer attendant for many years, and served on the ambulance service board of directors. He currently serves on the ambulance service at the

intermediate level.

In the early years, Gallagher was instrumental in keeping the ambulance service up to date with the most modern communication systems. Through his 42 years with the

ambulance service, Gallagher has helped keep it on the cutting edge with modern technology.

A man of many talents, Gallagher designed the plans for the new ambulance service building with less than 24 hours notice when he learned someone would donate money

to have the building built if there were a set of plans drawn up and presented the next day.

He worked feverishly overnight to get tentative plans made, which were approved by the donor.

Maine State Grange community service board member Yvonne Johnson said Gallagher was chosen above the rest of the candidates because of “his ability to draw up plans

for the new ambulance station in 24 hours. He did that and the money was donated” for the new station. He was also chosen because his “responses to questions were precise and

knowledgeable.”

“In accepting this Maine State Grange Community Service Award it must be recognized that EMS, like fire and police services, are a team effort. Thus I accept on

behalf of myself and my team at Central Lincoln County Ambulance, without whom I would not be here today. I am blessed to work with men and women of widely diverse backgrounds.

From plumbers to prison guards and first responder groups to RN paramedics, when they put on the Central Lincoln County Ambulance jacket they all epitomize the soul of neighbor

helping neighbor, as professional as any full-time providers,” Gallagher said.

“This county is fortunate to have some of the best and most progressive ambulance services in the state. We are all aware that there is a lack of volunteers in each

of these services and an ever-increasing cost to become trained in these fields. To that end the cash portion of this award is being donated to The Mary E. Gallagher EMS

Scholarship Fund at Lincoln Academy, in hopes that it will help to encourage and increase volunteers in these areas,” Gallagher said.