Ep 20. NAEMT Radio – Meet the Paramedic and EMT of the Year

In this edition of NAEMT Radio Rob Lawrence, NAEMT Member and Lighthouse Leadership Mentor talks to the 2023 Paramedic and EMT of the Year. Paramedic Richard “Ricky” Battle of LA County Fire Dept, CA and EMT Wayne Chan from Monroe Volunteer Ambulance, Monroe, NY. Ricky is an instructor, lifelong learner, and one of the most sought-after preceptors for LA County Fire. Wayne is the president and training officer for Monroe Volunteer Ambulance in Monroe, New York. He is also a delegate to the Orange County EMS Council and treasurer for the Hudson Valley Regional EMS Council.

Resources:

2023 National EMS Awards of Excellence Winners in full: 2023 National EMS Awards of Excellence Recipients Announced (naemt.org)

Meet the Winners:

Richard “Ricky” Battle, Paramedic, Hawthorne, California

2023 NAEMT/Velico Paramedic of the Year Award

Richard “Ricky” Battle “Every day, do something nobody asked you to do” is a motto Richard “Ricky” Battle lives by, especially in providing care to his patients. Working for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Battle provides superior cardiac, trauma and other emergent and non-emergent care. Not only does he practice and train others in EMS in proper lifesaving techniques and care during transport, but he takes the time to care for the family— securing the house, making sure the family knows where their loved one is being transported to, and using a language line for translator services.

He understands the importance of providing emotional support to patients, and their loved ones, who may be frightened, in pain, or in distress. Through his actions, Battle can transform any scene from being chaotic to compassionate. He is an advocate for both the patient and family. Battle also helps to educate crews about the importance of building good working relationships with nursing home and long-term care facility staff. He devotes time to building the profession of EMS. He volunteers to help with the EMS Clinical Challenge and has been integral in promoting the diversity and equity themes in the challenge. Battle is an instructor, lifelong learner, and one of the most sought-after preceptors for LA County Fire.

Wayne Chan, EMT, Monroe Volunteer Ambulance, Monroe, New York

2023 NAEMT/Demers-Braun-Crestline-Medix EMT of the Year Award

Wayne Chan, EMT Wayne Chan has been an EMT for over 20 years and is the president and training officer for Monroe Volunteer Ambulance in Monroe, New York. He is also a delegate to the Orange County EMS Council and serves as treasurer for the Hudson Valley Regional EMS Council. Chan’s patient care skills are exemplary and his confidence “makes everyone around him feel they are in good hands.” Chan has a way of interacting with patients and their families that instantly puts them at ease. He is methodical in his scene and patient assessment. He communicates with the family and accurately reports to the hospital to ensure the best possible outcomes. Chan is a patient advocate and has built a great rapport with area physicians and healthcare administrators to request help with volunteer retention, funding for equipment, and long patient turnover times at the hospitals. He also continues his education path in active shooter events by researching and participating in drills to refine his skills in responding to mass casualty incidents. He holds monthly drills for the agency’s youth squad and seeks training opportunities to bring back to them. Chan received both Orange County’s and Hudson Valley’s Educator of the Year awards in 2018, and the Orange County, NY Meritorious Service Medal for contributions to EMS in 2019.