William Henry Page honored for 27 years of service

National EMS Week was May 19– 25 and Polk County emergency personnel and volunteers celebrated with a dinner at Harmon Field.

This year the mission was, “EMS:  One Mission….One Team.”  They serve to unite the many forces that make up the healthcare system under the front line that is EMS.

EMS professionals are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They wait on standby, just in case they receive an emergency call.  They go weeks, months or sometimes years without a simple thank you.

They are out in the rain, snow, sleet and even excessive heat to answer the call.  While others are taking cover during a storm, these dedicated professionals are gearing up to go out and face the storm to serve the public. They rarely get to finish meals, and work long hours sacrificing time with their families.  While some of these individuals are paid some are also volunteers.  With all of the dedication these individuals put forth, most people rarely think about them until they are needed.  These heroes are our EMS professionals and include EMTs, paramedics, first responders, emergency department personnel and emergency dispatchers.

They are extensively trained in the stabilization and emergency treatment of those who suffer from events such as heart attacks, strokes, broken bones, motor vehicle accidents, falls, and even gunshot and knife wounds.

This year a dinner was held to honor these individuals at Harmon Field open-air gym.  Mr. William Henry Page was honored for his 27 years of service to Polk County as a volunteer EMT in the Green Creek Community. Page was in the very first EMT class held in Polk County.

Then later was a very essential part of starting up the Polk County First Responder Program.  Today this program is still serving every area of Polk County with most of the members running through their local fire department.

– article submitted by Penny Storey