GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — When it comes to saving lives, first responders providing medical care don't always get the thanks or recognition they deserve.
That's what Kent County EMS' Provider Recognition Ceremony is for. It recognizes first responders, dispatchers, and even bystanders for their work saving lives before patients arrive at the hospital.
"So we're excited to recognize 284 individuals with awards tonight," said Todd Chassee, medical director for Kenty County EMS. "This includes 11 bystanders. The community plays an important part in pre-hospital response and in saving lives. We're recognizing 25 different departments, and this is a huge increase from our first ceremony where we recognized approximately 70 individuals."
Among the 284 honored Wednesday, Deputy Sheriff Brennan Dewey.
Earlier this summer, he assisted EMS workers resuscitating a person in cardiac arrest at a Kent County bowling alley.
"I retrieved my AED, attach it to the individual, and in combination with a good Samaritans efforts, and other first responders, we were able to resuscitate the woman." said Deputy Dewey.
He was awarded the life saving award at the ceremony, an official "thank you", from a grateful community.
"I think it's important to recognize individuals who are part of these larger calls more, you know, more life or death calls," said Deputy Dewey. "I think a lot of people first responders, sometimes they might become numb to that. And I feel recognizing them. But help them with opening their eyes to realize, you know, they just saved the life."
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