On Saturday, March 21, 180 members, guests and politicians gathered at the Bayou Restaurant in Havre de Grace to celebrate the 29th year of the Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps, its accomplishments and its highs and lows over the past year.
The Ambulance Corps responded to 2,057 calls for service in Havre de Grace and the surrounding community in 2014.
Life member Larry Allen Krediet, who died Sept. 7, 2014 at the age of 58, was honored. Mr. Krediet's wife, Marlene, and daughter, Brandy, accepted a special award in the shape of a "Star of Life" and read, "Always in our thoughts...forever in our hearts." Mr. Krediet also was a Havre de Grace police officer for a number of years.
Chief Peter Quackenbush presented a brief slide show that highlighted many accomplishments from 2014 that included the re-chassis of Ambulance 591, which was placed back in service last month.
Quackenbush also commented on the City of Havre de Grace and how it assist the Corps. In 2014 the city purchased two LifePak 15 cardiac monitors at a cost of almost $90,000.
"We could not do what we do if it weren't for the cooperation and commitment that the mayor and city council of Havre de Grace provide to us each and every year," Quackenbush said.
Quackenbush, Assistant Chief Joe Gamatoria and President Zach Coyle presented went to several members that responded to 100 calls or more in 2014.
The top responder for 2014 was Haley Kane, who responded to 451 calls. Haley is a senior at Havre de Grace High School and manages to take care of her school requirements and take calls and does this with pride.
She was also named the 2014 Rookie of the Year.
Length of service awards were also presented, including to two members who have been with the Corps and its predecessor organization for 35 years, since 1979 when it was part of the American Legion: Mark Hemler and Luanne Schweers. They were also recognized with proclamations from the City of Havre de Grace, Harford County Council, Harford County Executive Barry Glassman, the Senate and the House of Delegates.
Two members were awarded lifetime membership: Jennifer Mothershed, for serving 12 years, and Debbie Way, for 26 years.
The 11th annual Mary E. Gibson Training Award was presented to paramedic Donald Hawkins. The award is presented each year to a member who shows dedication and commitment to ensuring quality training to the members.
Hawkins was also presented the 2014 Lifesaving Award for saving the life of a citizen on July 4, 2014.
Appreciation Awards were presented to: Sharon and Bobbi Zachry for planning a bus trip to the New York 911 memorial on Dec. 14, 2014; Sherry Moore and Loren Kelley for their dedication and hard work in preparation for the successful 2014 Independence Week Celebration in Havre de Grace; Ron Kane for his daily hard work, including IT issues dealing with the redesign of the Corps web site, http://www.hdgac.org, and installing and completing the new security system; Luanne Schweers for her work as the Corps quartermaster; and Joe Gamatoria and Loren Kelly, for their work and commitment ensuring a successful EMS Week celebration.
Two new members to the Corps – Bobbi Pehr and Paul Armstrong – were presented with the Outstanding Achievement Awards. Pehr and Armstrong give new meaning to the words "be all that you can be," Assistant Chief Joe Gamatoria said.
Merit awards were presented to several members for their hard work and dedication to the "Hands Only CPR" program: Marty Walsh, Ken Streb, Susan Streb, Gail Reeder and Bill Reeder.
Stephanie Sieracki, who is 5 years old and is the daughter of member, Ashley Schweers, was recognized for attending numerous CPR classes at the corps and for being present at several community demos, including the First Fridays in Havre de Grace, where Ambulance Corps members showed the public how easy it is, even for a child, to perform hands only CPR and possibly save a life some day.
On April 18, 2014, the Ambulance Corps was sent to assist a Megabus on I-95 that was involved in an accident. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured, but riders were told they could not remain on the bus and would have to wait for a replacement bus to arrive.
Members assisted in getting everyone off the bus and shuttled them to the Ambulance Corps station on Route 155, where members assisted with accommodating riders with food and a comfortable place to wait the two hours that it took for another bus to arrive. In all, 18 members of the Corps came out to help in the middle of the day and all remained at the station until the riders were put on another bus.
Debbie Way was inducted into the Harford-Cecil Volunteer Fireman's Associations Hall of Fame. Way was active for 26 years and was held the office of treasurer for several years. She also served on numerous committees and rode for more than 200 calls a year those 26 years. Way's late husband, Vince, was inducted into the Hall of Fame several years ago. When the award was presented by the Hall of Fame Committee, it was said that when Debbie was interviewed to join the Ambulance Corps she was asked, "Why do you want to join?" Debbie answered "So that I can see my husband!"
The past Presidents Award was presented to 2014 President Mark Hemler, who recently retired from the Harford County Department of Emergency Services, where he was a supervisor in the 911 center for 30 years.
Outstanding Service Awards were presented to Paramedic Nick DeRita and EMT Dale Clark.
DeRita is committed to quality care as well as teaching others in the Corps.
"Nick's passion extends beyond his work as a paramedic and volunteering. Nick enjoys teaching other providers and always takes time to teach and is never too busy to answer questions and explain his method of patient care," Quackenbush said.
Clark served as a lieutenant and engineer in 2014.
"Dale always goes above and beyond to make sure that the 'house' is in order, oxygen bottles are filled, supplies are stocked and units are cleaned and running," Quackenbush said. "Dale takes his job very serious and doesn't leave until the job is done."
The 2014 EMS Person of the Year was presented to Denise Buchanan, who is always willing and able to help out whenever asked. She served the office of captain in 2014 and worked very hard to juggle family life as well as a full-time job all while attaining her EMT-B certification. Buchanan continues to work toward attaining her Paramedic licensure. She also served as the Corps quartermaster in 2014.
Following the awards presentation, the officers were installed for 2015 by the first vice president of the Maryland State Fireman's Association, Johnie Roth.