POUGHKEEPSIE – The 2020 Dutchess County EMS awards have been announced by the EMS Council and retiring Fairview Fire Chief Chris Maeder is one of the recipients.
Chief Maeder, has had a long career as both an EMT-Paramedic and a firefighter of different ranks, and when learning of the honor, said “I am appreciative to whomever took the time to nominate me and the Fairview Fire District for the respective awards. What a nice way to wind up a career.”
The Fairview Fire Department shared the honor of “Advanced Life Support Provider of the Year” with EMT-Paramadedic Eric Calderon of Mobile Life Support Services. Maeder was given the “Harriet C. Weber EMS Leadership Award” and Fairview also captured the “EMS Agency of the Year” award for their rescue squad.
The award for “EMS Communications Specialist of the Year” was given to Krystyn Rapoli, Public Safety dispatcher with the City of Poughkeepsie. Mayor Rob Rolison said, “We are extremely proud of Krystyn in receiving this recognition. In 2019 the city received close to 7,000 calls for EMS assistance. The mayor added “Our dedicated staff of Public Safety Dispatchers are an integral part of our public safety services in Poughkeepsie.”
This marks the second year in a row that a Poughkeepsie dispatcher received the honor. The Poughkeepsie Fire Department responds to all EMS calls in the city along with Mobile Life Support Services.
Firefighter union president Nick Bucher said, “We are fortunate to have the best dispatchers around and we are glad the region is recognizing Krystyn for her great work.”
Rapoli, humbled by the recognition, said, “I’ve been in emergency services since 2005 and I’m honored to be selected tele-communicator of the year… however I think everyone in this line of work needs to be recognized for the taxing job we do. It’s not as simple as taking a call and sending appropriate units… that is happening while several other phone lines and radio transmission are going on. We can be dealing with a gun call and a structure fire all at the same time. While regular calls for service continue to come in and other assigned tasks need completion. There is so much more going on behind the scenes that we are responsible for and most don’t realize. Despite us doing our best, sometimes we still have to deal with unfortunate outcomes and the mental stress can be the most taxing.” This year’s honoree added “I feel we are often forgotten and the reality is we are a vital link in the chain being the first first-responders… I have instructed safe childbirth over the phone, controlled serious hemorrhages. I have instructed CPR and Narcan administration in cardiac arrests and overdoses and saved lives without stepping foot on the scene. I appreciate the recognition but ask that you thank all who provide this service to the community. Teamwork makes the dream work and together we get the job done.”
Due to the pandemic, the awards ceremony will be held at Roosevelt Fire Department, Station 3, at a date yet to be determined. At that time, in addition to the above recipients, the following will be recognized for their contributions to public safety.
Annmarie Shevlin, EMTB with EMStar Ambulance will receive the “Basic Life Support Provider of the Year” award.
Kathy Hickman, EMTB, of the Pleasant Valley Fire Department rescue squad will receive the “EMS Educator of the Year” award.
Mark Rosengarten, RN, of MidHudson Regional Hospital will receive the “Registered Professional Nurse of Excellence” award.
Dr. Mark Papish of MidHudson Regional Hospital will receive the “”Physician of Excellence” award.
