We celebrated the bravery, commitment and over 650 years of service of colleagues at an event in Nottinghamshire last week.
Colleagues from Corporate Services, our Hazardous Area Response Team and from across EMAS received awards for 10, 20, 30 and 40 years of service, the Willett’s Award for bravery and Chief Executive’s Commendations for going above and beyond.
Chief Executive Richard Henderson opened the event, which took place at a venue in Papplewick.
He said: "I am immensely proud to be here as the Chief Executive of the organisation to recognise your hard work and dedication.
"I’d like to say a huge thank you for all you do, day in and day out."
Chair Jeff Worrall also spoke at the event.
He said: "I’m so proud to be here with you. It’s lovely to see all these faces and recognise your many, many years of work for the NHS.
"I think we are on the up as an organisation and this is a tribute to you and your efforts. This is to do with the good people who are here today and those that are out on the road looking after patients."
Joining Richard and Jeff, to present the awards were Director of Operations Ben Holdaway, Director of Quality Keeley Sheldon, and Clinical Director Dr Steven Dykes.
While not everyone could make the event itself, those recognised with an award included:
10 years
- Andra Mateusa
- Faye Nicholls
- Jennifer Speck
- Katie Eley
- Laura Taylor
- Michael Arrowsmith
- Paul Shanahan
- Rebecca Hughes
- Safiya Nosakhere
- Steven Sharpe
- Tara Laughlin
- Kayleigh Barke
20 years
- Alfeo Bansuelo
- Edward Frost
- Francis Graham
- James Demery
- Jason Buckle
- Mark Goodrich
- Mark Hurley
- Michelle Kirton
- Paul Marshall
30 years
- David Turner
- Jim Richardson
- Sonia Jones
- Tim Slater
- Wendy Bainbridge
- Nicole Greenwood
- Christopher Sneath
- Roy Williams
- Chief Executive’s Commendations
- Clair Compton
- James Bonner
- Joanne Foster
- Kevin Thorne
- Richard Hill, Sam Smith, Stuart Housley, Darren Grist and David Turner
- Stuart Tilt
- Susan Ryan
Retirements
Mike Naylor, Mark Goodrich, Sue MacFarland, Hani Edwards.
Chief Executive’s Commendations
- Clair Compton
- James Bonner
- Joanne Foster
- Kevin Thorne
- Richard Hill, Sam Smith, Stuart Housley, Darren Grist and David Turner
- Stuart Tilt
- Susan Ryan
The stories behind the awards
Susan Ryan
Susan Ryan, Domestic, is 80 years old and has been with EMAS for 40 years at Northamptonshire ambulance station. Susan was nominated for a Chief Executive's Commendation for her dedication to her role and contribution by Station Manager Victoria. Victoria said on her nomination that the station is immaculate, Susan bakes cake weekly and is the heart and soul of the station.
Susan said: "The reason I’m still here is the people. The crews and the bosses. I’ve seen a few come and go over the years and they are all lovely. They do an amazing job and I’m just happy to help by supporting them in any way I can."
Dave Turner
Dave Turner was one of the original members of our first Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) when it was formed in 2008 to work with the police, fire and rescue services and provide life-saving medical care in complex and challenging environments.
He started in the ambulance service in November 1994 and has worked in the Patient Transport Service, as a Technician, as a Paramedic and as a Community Paramedic. In 2012, Dave became a Team Leader within HART and has managed several teams during this time.
The support Dave has given to the team was described as invaluable.
Dave said: "The job is never what you expect. It's one of those jobs where we are here for what we could do. We're here to support where there's a major incident or other specialist incident.
"It's lovely to receive recognition for your service and what you do."
Dave also received a Chief Executive’s Commendation, with his crew mates from HART, for their response to a serious road traffic collision.
Pictured below (from left to right) are Richard Hill, Sam Smith, Stuart Housley, Chief Executive Richard Henderson, David Turner and Darren Grist.
The team pulled passengers who were still in the vehicle out as it was starting to catch fire and worked seamlessly to provide the best possible care for all of those involved.
The nomination was from an EMAS colleague who attended the scene.
They said: "The work that the HART paramedics did in the minutes that followed was invaluable, providing excellent trauma assessment and treatment at what was initially a very chaotic scene.
"They put the safety of others ahead of their own, demonstrating the EMAS values of Contribution and Compassion to an extent that defies all expectations."
Stuart and Darren told us that it was one of the worst car fires they’ve been to and that not only was the car completely destroyed but also some of their kit was melted by the heat while they were trying to care for the patients.
They said: "We’re really proud of how we worked through it as a team, each one of us seamlessly working towards getting the patients safe and treated."
Graham Robinson
Graham Robinson, Community First Responder, received a volunteer award for the fantastic work he’s done with the North Notts Community First Response (CFR) group and his fundraising efforts.
Graham ran a volunteer group covering Nottinghamshire and Bassetlaw for St John Ambulance from 2005, which the charity had to end. He then formed the North Notts CFR group and has coordinated the group since 2013.
Graham said: "This award is for the whole team as it is a group effort.
"I was asked to set up a group for EMAS, scrounged an AED and we've gone from strength to strength from there. We’ve become an independent group, which has its own equipment and finances and has earned community appreciation."
"Some of the volunteers from our group have gone on to be doctors, nurses and paramedics. It’s great that the group has been part of that."
Jim Richardson
Jim Richardson has worked in the ambulance service for 30 years, initially for South Yorkshire Ambulance Service in their Patient Transport Service. He qualified as a Paramedic in 2000 and moved into the Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) team in 2004.
Jim has now been at EMAS for nearly eight years, leading the EPRR and Specialist Operations Teams, including through the COVID pandemic. He has also chaired the National EPRR Group for four years and is widely respected for his specialist EPRR knowledge.
Jim said: "Today, there has been so many years of service celebrated and so many stories of colleagues who go above and beyond. It makes me feel proud to be working at EMAS alongside them."
