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American Ambulance Association Honors More than 100 Outstanding EMS Professionals in Washington, DC

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EMT of the Year Hank Savin and Paramedic of the Year Carl Dugas represent Acadian Ambulance at the Stars of Life Celebration in Washington, DC. The week celebrates and honors the service and heroic efforts of the medics who give the EMS symbol its true meaning by providing lifesaving care whenever and wherever it's needed.

May 30, 2006 (Washington, DC) – Acadian Ambulance Services Paramedics Carl Dugas, Joe Szush, Matt Savoy and EMT-Basic Hank Savin were among the 100 plus Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics from around the United States who were honored in Washington, DC. Sponsored by the American Ambulance Association (AAA), the 15 th annual Stars of Life Celebration includes meetings with senators, congressional representatives and a special reception at the U.S. Capitol.

The “Stars,” Dugas, Szush, Savoy and Savin, were honored for their heroic actions and dedication to the communities they serve at a special awards dinner where they received a Star of Life medal.

The representatives and dignitaries, together with the AAA, applauded the "Stars" at the special awards dinner and presentation for their exemplary performances and heroic actions.

Accompanied by Acadian Executive Vice President of Governmental & Legal Affairs Tyron Picard, the Stars' also had the opportunity to visit with U.S. Senator David Vitter, Mary Landrieu and Congressmen Rodney Alexander, Charles Boustany, Richard Baker, Jim McCrery, and Bobby Jindal to speak on topics relating to health care issues as they relate to the pre-hospital care field in Louisiana and Mississippi.

“We were able to let Senators Landrieu and Vitter and our congressmen know how we feel about the proposed cuts in the health care industry,” said Hank Savin. “Our nation is experiencing a crisis in a shortage of medics. Our ability to recruit more medics in Louisiana and Mississippi is crucial and we were pleased to have the opportunity to lobby for our needs” explained Savin.

Hank Savin, a four-year Acadian veteran is an EMT-Basic stationed in Chauvin, was also selected as Acadian's first EMT-Basic of the Year. Hank was accompanied by his supervisor, Operations Manager Joe Szush, a 20-year Acadian veteran.

Carl Dugas was selected by his peers as the 2006 recipient of the Acadian Ambulance Paramedic of the Year Award. Dugas was honored at the Acadian's Paramedic Luncheon where former President George Bush was the guest speaker. Dugas is a 20-year Acadian veteran and has been stationed in Acadian's offshore division, Acadian Integrated Solutions, for the past 17 years. Matt Savoy, operations team leader and Dugas' supervisor, has been with Acadian since 1994.

The AAA is based in Washington DC, and represents more than 750 ambulance operations providing emergency and non-emergency medical transportation services across the United States. Founded in 1979, the AAA's Mission is: "To promote health care policies that ensure excellence in the ambulance services industry and to provide research, education and communications programs to enable its members to effectively address the needs of the communities they serve."

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