The State Legislature is scheduled to recognize 48 paramedics, EMTs, emergency medical dispatchers, and support personnel from across California as Stars of Life, on Monday, April 3, 2017.  Amongst the honorees are 13 EMS professionals employed by Kern County’s Hall Ambulance Service, Inc.

The recognition is part of the California Ambulance Association’s (CAA) Stars of Life Celebration that acknowledges and honors the dedicated professionals in the ambulance services industry.

Of significant merit are the life-saving, singular acts performed by the following Hall Ambulance Paramedics and EMTs:

• Paramedic Rick Davis’ advanced life support care for a cardiac arrest victim on Christmas Eve resulted in the patient surviving and spending another Christmas with her family.

• Paramedic Ryan Strange, who convinced a middle-school teacher that her severe panic attack could be, and indeed was, something else—cardiac arrest.

• Paramedic Marsha Aase, and EMT William Cassidy, who saved the life of a great -grandmother who went into sudden cardiac arrest.  [Note: Irene Sample’s great-grandchildren performed CPR until EMS arrived.  For their efforts, they rode on the American Heart Association Float in this year’s Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade.]

• Paramedic Josh Edwards, and EMT Brooke Carmona who saved the life of a 19-year-old who suffered sudden cardiac arrest while playing basketball.

• Paramedic Eddie Maldonado, and EMT Adam Moreno who performed exemplary when faced with responding to a co-worker’s need for medical aid due to a cardiac complaint.

The remaining honorees are the President’s Award, and Founder’s Award recipients, and the Employees of the Year announced at Hall Ambulance Service’s 46th Anniversary Employee Recognition Awards in February:

• Relief Supervisor Rod Castillo- Recipient of the President’s Award for Customer Service

• Mark Corum, Director of Media Services- Recipient of the Founders Award for Management Excellence

• Paramedic Masato Seki- Paramedic of the Year

• EMT Vera Chinn- Emergency Medical Technician of the Year

• Tabitha Baker, EMD- Emergency Dispatcher of the Year

The Stars have a busy itinerary planned for the day, starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel where leadership of the California Ambulance Association will bestow upon the honorees their Stars of Life medal.   Afterward, they will embark to the Capitol where they will gather for a group photo of all 48 Stars of Life.

At noon, they will head to the Assembly Gallery to be honored for their heroic acts and dedication to patient care.

At 12:30 p.m. they are scheduled to meet with Assembly Member Vince Fong (Room 4144); followed by a meeting with Senator Andy Vidak (Room 3082) at 1:15 p.m.

At 1:30 p.m., they will visit with Senate Republican Leader Jean Fuller (Room 305), who is scheduled to present each Star with a Senate Resolution recognizing their individual achievements.

At 2:00 p.m., they will head to the Senate Gallery for additional recognition as Stars of Life.

The day will conclude with a reception, followed by an awards dinner at the Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront Promenade, located at 100 Capitol Mall.