The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) has presented its 2008 Rocco V. Morando Lifetime Achievement Award, which is sponsored by the National Registry of EMTs, to Kenneth J. Bouvier of New Orleans, La.

Bouvier received his award at the NAEMT General Membership Meeting and Awards Presentation on October 14, 2008, in Las Vegas.

Beginning his EMS career in 1974 at the Westwego, La., and Volunteer Fire Department where he still finds time to volunteer, Bouvier currently serves as the fire chief for Monsanto Company in Luling, La., and is the administrative liaison for New Orleans EMS.

He is a member and former board member of the Louisiana Association of Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technicians as well as a former president of NAEMT. Previously, Bouvier received the 1989 National EMT of the Year Award, also presented by NAEMT.

Bouvier’s extensive educational background in emergency response includes attending Louisiana State University, Texas A&M University, Florida State Fire College and the National Fire Academy. He serves on the advisory board of EMS Magazine and has written many articles for EMS and fire service publications. He is recognized nationally and internationally as a professional EMS speaker. He is a contributor to 10 textbooks and has authored several training videos.

The Rocco V. Morando Lifetime Achievement Award is named after Rocco V. Morando, a pioneer in EMS and one of the founding fathers of NAEMT. This is the most prestigious award presented by NAEMT.

Formed in 1975 and today nearly 25,000 members strong, NAEMT is the nation’s only organization solely dedicated to representing the professional interests of EMS practitioners, including paramedics, emergency medical technicians, first responders and other professionals working in pre-hospital emergency medicine. NAEMT members work in all sectors of EMS, including government service agencies, fire departments, hospital-based ambulance services, private companies, industrial and special operations settings, and in the military.

Each year, NAEMT recognizes excellence in various areas of prehospital medical care with the presentation of individual and organizational achievement awards. These awards honor America’s EMS practitioners and organizations that demonstrate exceptional leadership within the profession and outstanding commitment to prehospital medical care. For more information, visit the NAEMT web site at www.naemt.org.

Recently, the Arkansas Ambulance Association held its fourth annual “Stars of Life” celebration in Little Rock. “Stars of Life” is a special recognition program conducted by the Arkansas Ambulance Association in cooperation with the American Ambulance Association. On Thursday, May 15, 2008, twenty individuals from across the state gathered in Little Rock for a day of activities designed to recognize their heroic and commendable actions as part of the emergency medical services (EMS) system. Each “Star” was recognized in a ceremony held at the State Capitol. Honorees and their sponsors spent the day learning more about the state’s EMS system, visiting with key stakeholders, industry leaders, and law makers. The events concluded with a the Stars being honored on the field at Dickey-Stephens Ball Park in North Little Rock as the Arkansas Travelers took on the Tulsa Drillers.

The Stars of Life program is designed to raise awareness as to the value of emergency medical services (EMS) and to educate state leaders and others on the importance of strengthening the public safety net. Arkansas’ recognition event coincided with national ceremonies held in Washington, D.C. as part of National EMS Week observances. Together, the events served as springboards for National EMS Week activities held the third week of May.

The 2008 Arkansas Stars of Life included:

Mark Willis (left) is named the Arkansas Star of Life for 2008

Each year, the ArAA selects one overall “Star” to be named as the Arkansas delegate to the National Stars of Life program held in Washington, D.C. The 2008 Arkansas Star of Life is Mark Willis from Vital Link. Mr. Willis is an EMT and was honored for his actions during the tornado events that struck the Mountain View area this spring. Willis took extraordinary steps to keep his unit in service during the height of the storm, worked countless hours in the next few days to respond to the community’s needs, and even helped organize relief efforts following the destruction.

For more information on this and other ArAA programs, visit www.aaaintouch.com

The prestigious accreditation represents the highest standard for medical transport services. As part of the accreditation process, Air Evac Lifeteam voluntarily undertook the largest scale inspection and accreditation process in CAMTS’ history and is now the largest medical transport program under one name to achieve this accreditation in the world. All 69 Air Evac Lifeteam bases opened prior to May of 2008 are now accredited, with three recently opened bases scheduled for review in the near future for inclusion in the accreditation.

“We are very pleased to receive this tremendous honor,” said Air Evac Lifeteam President Seth Myers. “This accreditation is a validation of the high quality standards in which we operate and serve our communities. The focus of the accreditation process is on patient care and aviation safety and was a very positive and constructive process for our company. Receiving this accreditation underscores the high level of commitment of our crews and company to providing our patients and the agencies that refer them to us with quality medical services in a safe environment.”

“In their closing comments, the CAMTS surveyors spoke very highly of our employees and their commitment to our mission,” Myers added. “I’ve never been more proud to represent such a dedicated group of people, who have now been recognized by the industry’s leading accrediting body.”

CAMTS is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality and safety of medical transport services. To receive accreditation, a medical transport service must be in significant compliance with the CAMTS accreditation standards and demonstrate a high level of overall quality in service. By participating in the voluntary accreditation process, service organizations can verify their adherence to quality accreditation standards to themselves, their peers, medical professionals and the general public.

The voluntary accreditation process included on-site surveys at Air Evac Lifeteam’s corporate headquarters and bases by nine surveyors, along with a comprehensive review of the company’s operations. The company was evaluated on patient care, safety standards, quality improvement activities, education, equipment, staffing, communications, maintenance and administration.

Air Evac Lifeteam, based in West Plains, Missouri, is the largest independently owned and operated air-medical service in the United States and operates the largest air medical membership program in the U.S, with over 650,000 members. The company operates 72 bases across 12 states, serving more than 1,300 diverse referral sources, including over 600 hospitals and 700 EMS agencies, with over 1,600 employees. Air Evac Lifeteam has safely transported over 150,000 patients since its founding in 1985 and its aviation operations are “Gold” rated by the Aviation Research Group (ARG/US). The company’s medical training center leads the air medical industry as an approved provider of courses and educational training by the American Heart Association (AHA), National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) and Continuing Education Coordinating Board of Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS). Air Evac Lifeteam is the largest air medical provider in nine of its 12 states of operation, including Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.