Rockland County Honors EMS Workers

NEW CITY – Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Commissioner of Health Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert acknowledged local emergency medical services (EMS) practitioners for their outstanding contributions to the community. The County’s annual EMS Awards Ceremony normally held at the Rockland County Fire Training Center in Pomona was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week is now in its 46th year of celebration. EMS Week is a time for national appreciation of the daily life-saving service that EMS practitioners provide to their patients, and an acknowledgement of the important role of EMS in our nation’s healthcare system.

“It is always an honor to recognize the dedication, skill and talent of Rockland’s EMS providers,” said County Executive Day. “They are among the best in the field and they deserve to be commended for their commitment to providing quality emergency care to our residents. The pressures and difficulties they have overcome this year deserve our deepest recognition and thanks. Congratulations to this year’s winners. You are an inspiration to us all.”

The following EMS practitioners are being recognized for outstanding contributions to their EMS agencies, communities, and Rockland County:

* Basic Life Support Provider of the Year – Jesse Goldsmith, Haverstraw EMS, Congers Valley Cottage EMS and New City EMS

* Advanced Life Support Provider of the Year – Rich Greer, Rockland Paramedic Service

* Youth Member of the Year – Gianna Punzi, Stony Point Ambulance Corps

* EMS Agency of the Year – Pearl River Alumni Ambulance

* EMS Leadership Award – Desiree’ Leone-Stoll, Rockland County EMS

* EMS Communications Specialist of the Year – Amanda Harris, Haverstraw EMS and 44-Control

* Registered Professional Nurse of Excellence – Steven Malagraph, RN, Montefiore Nyack Hospital ER

* EMS Educator of Excellence – John W. Waite, Rockland County EMS

“It is only fitting to recognize the amazing achievements of these providers,” said Dr. Ruppert.

“Their outstanding efforts in the face of extremely difficult conditions have exceeded all expectations. We are proud to acknowledge the contributions and dedication of EMS practitioners in safeguarding the health, safety and well-being of our communities.”

These individuals are the Rockland County award winners that will receive their award at a date to be determined. Their awards applications will be forwarded to the Hudson Valley Regional EMS Council for consideration of a regional level award.

The following individuals were selected by their agencies to be recognized as their Member of the Year and will be presented with an award at a date to be determined:

* Scot Orser, Congers Valley Cottage Volunteer Ambulance Corps

* Luanne Powell, Haverstraw Vol Ambulance Corps

* James “Bruce” Bannerman, Nanuet Community Ambulance

* Mara Traynor, New City Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Squad

* Jeremy Griffel, Nyack Community Ambulance

* Willie Jo Liston, Pearl River Alumni Ambulance

* Patrick Krummack, Piermont Fire Department EMS

* Israel Landau, Ramapo Valley VAC

* Angel Morabel, Rockland Mobile Care

* Michael Chanat, Rockland Paramedic Services, Inc.

* Geoffrey Dick, South Orangetown VAC

* Jerry Vautrin, Stony Point VAC

* Chaim Neiman, William P Faist Volunteer Amb Corps