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Standing in front of Waldoboro’s just-arrived new ambulance, Director Richard Lash and Town Manager Linda-Jean Briggs hold up Waldoboro EMS’s regional EMS Service of the Year 2014 award. (D. Lobkowicz photo) |
By Dominik Lobkowicz
In its first such recognition, Waldoboro EMS was presented Nov. 15 with the EMS Service of the Year 2014 award for Lincoln, Knox, and Waldo counties.
The Service of the Year awards for each of the state’s six EMS regions were presented at an annual statewide seminar hosted by Atlantic Partners EMS at the Samoset Resort in Rockport.
According to a letter from Kelly Roderick, chair of the seminar’s award committee, the committee concentrated its awards on agencies with a strong community connection, programs for injury prevention and communication, and a desire to improve the EMS system.
In her letter, Roderick recognized Waldoboro EMS’s community efforts, such as first aid and CPR trainings, its work in community paramedicine, and its relationship with Lincoln County Healthcare.
“It is clear to see that cooperation and outreach are both well-established work ethics for all the members of Waldoboro EMS and has earned them the Service of the Year [award] for Region 6,” Roderick wrote.
“We’re doing stuff right, I guess,” said Richard Lash, who has served as the service’s director for the last three years.
Lash, who has a background as a salesman, said when he first arrived he focused on improving “customer service” interactions with patients and their families, as well as with doctors, nurses, and nursing homes.
Lash also focused on training, encouraging staff to spend any spare time while on the clock practicing and honing their skills.
“You can have the head knowledge, but you’ve got to be able to use your hands and do what you’ve been taught to do,” he said.
“They all do a great job,” Lash said of his staff. “I’ve got one of the best groups that get along with each other and know what they’re doing and they do it well. I’ve just got an excellent group of providers here.”
Town Manager Linda-Jean Briggs is also pleased with the service.
“I’m so proud to have them here in Waldoboro, providing the service that they can to not only our residents but surrounding communities,” Briggs said.
Lash said his staff was surprised by news of the award, and they felt very good about it.
“The thing is though, we don’t do it for this,” he said. “That’s an extra.”
