State EMS Awards
For over 30 years, the Florida Department of Health has had the honor of recognizing the men and women who provide lifesaving services in times of crisis.
Excellence in Emergency Medical Services Awards
Announcement
*The nomination window for the 2026 Excellence in Emergency Medical Services Awards will open soon. Check back for further details.*
About
For over 30 years, the Florida Department of Health had the honor of recognizing the men and women who provide lifesaving services in times of crisis. This is a small way of paying tribute to the brave medical professionals and agencies that ensure the public’s health and safety in times of an emergency. The following award categories represent several aspects of the prehospital environment. The Department is honored to receive nominations each year.
Award Categories
911 Public Safety Telecommunicator
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
EMS Education
EMS Memorial
EMS Provider (Rural)
EMS Provider (Urban)
EMS Quality Improvement
Larry S. Jordan – EMS Hall of Fame
Marilyn Crook – EMS Pioneer Award
Mobile Integrated Health
Paramedic
Raymond H. Alexander – EMS Medical Direction
Application Process
Each nomination must include the following:
Summary Statement: Prepare a summary statement describing how the nominee meets the award criteria, depicting the nominee’s qualities and contributions to EMS in Florida. Include why the nominee is exceptionally qualified and should be selected for this award. Break down the nomination criteria and describe in detail how the nominee has excelled in each area.
Supporting Materials: Submit any materials to support the candidate’s nomination that you deem necessary, such as articles, letters, resume, audio recordings, photographs, or additional documentation.
Electronic Photograph: Submit an electronic photograph (high-resolution JPEG) of the nominee. This photo will be incorporated into the awards ceremony in the event the nominee is selected as a winner.
Photo Release Form: Submit the completed Photo Release Form signed by the individual or organization.
2025 Awards
The 2025 Excellence in EMS Awards Ceremony took place on January 7, 2026,
at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida.
Congratulations to the following recipients:
911 Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) of the Year: Ilias Virella, Pasco County Department of Emergency Services
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) of the Year: Philip Tavano, Sunstar Paramedics
Paramedic of the Year: Nicholas Watley, Escambia County EMS
EMS Educator of the Year: Tim Burnham, Tampa Fire Rescue
EMS Quality Improvement Award: Pinellas County EMS Quality Committee
Mobile Integrated Health Award: Leah Barnes, Gainesville Fire Rescue
Raymond H. Alexander EMS Medical Director of the Year: Dr. Frederick Keroff, Hialeah, Miami Beach, and Coral Gables Fire Departments
Marilyn Crook EMS Pioneer Award: Jesse Blaire, Ocala Fire Rescue
Larry S. Jordan EMS Hall of Fame Award: Father Ronald Perkins
EMS Provider of the Year (Rural): Jackson County Fire Rescue
EMS Provider of the Year (Urban): Lee County EMS
2024 Awards
The 2024 Excellence in EMS Awards Ceremony took place on October 30, 2024,
at the Naples Grande Beach Resort in Naples, Florida.
Congratulations to the following recipients:
911 Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) of the Year: Yosmanni Reeves, Orange County Fire Rescue Department
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) of the Year: Bradley Tarter, Lifeguard Ambulance Service
Paramedic of the Year: Thomas Enright, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue
EMS Educator of the Year: Angel Nater, Seminole State College of Florida
EMS Quality Improvement Award: Aneel Mehra, Davie Fire Rescue
Mobile Integrated Health Award: Manatee County EMS
Raymond H. Alexander EMS Medical Director of the Year: Dr. Marshall Frank, Sarasota County Fire Department
Marilyn Crook EMS Pioneer Award: Robert “Bobby” Bailey
Larry S. Jordan EMS Hall of Fame Award: Jaime Greene
EMS Provider of the Year: Bradford County Fire Rescue
2023 Awards
The 2023 Excellence in EMS Awards Ceremony took place on October 4, 2023,
at the Henderson Beach Resort in Destin, Florida.
Congratulations to the following recipients:
911 Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) of the Year: Hannah Carpenter, Marion County Public Safety Communications
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) of the Year: Michael Aries, Leon County EMS
Paramedic of the Year: Dennis Abrams, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue
EMS Educator of the Year: Michael Austin, AdventHealth EMS – West Florida Division
Mobile Integrated Health Award: Ashley Dumont, Walton County Fire Rescue
Raymond H. Alexander EMS Medical Director of the Year: James Roach, Broward County Sheriff’s Office
Marilyn Crook EMS Pioneer Award: Ryan Mitchell, Pinellas Park Fire Department
Larry S. Jordan EMS Hall of Fame Award: Julie Downey, Davie Fire Rescue
EMS Provider of the Year: Leon County EMS
2022 Awards
The 2022 Excellence in EMS Awards Ceremony took place on September 14, 2022,
at the Omni ChampionsGate Resort in Orlando, Florida.
Congratulations to the following recipients:
911 Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) of the Year: Justin Johnson, Consolidated Dispatch Agency
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) of the Year: Max Schafer, St. Johns County Fire Rescue
Paramedic of the Year: Jacob Faul, Alachua County Fire Rescue
EMS Educator of the Year: Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue
Mobile Integrated Health Award: Clay County Fire Rescue
Raymond H. Alexander EMS Medical Director of the Year: Dr. Colby Redfield, Calhoun, Columbia, Franklin, Gadsden, Jackson, Madison, and Taylor Counties
Marilyn Crook EMS Pioneer Award: Rodney K. Mascho, Marion County Fire Rescue
Larry S. Jordan EMS Hall of Fame Award: Allen Parrish, Bradford County Fire Rescue
EMS Provider of the Year: Walton County Fire Rescue
EMS Memorial: George “Brad” Newsome, Walton County Fire Rescue
2021 Awards
The 2021 Excellence in EMS Awards Ceremony took place on September 29, 2021,
at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida.
Congratulations to the following recipients:
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) of the Year: Lee Kendall, Leon County EMS
Paramedic of the Year: LT. Eric Delotta, The Sheriff of Broward County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services
911 Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) of the Year: Melissa Ayers, Coral Springs Parkland Fire Department
EMS Provider of the Year: Franklin County
EMS Educator of the Year: EMS Resuscitation Academy: Jo Shapins, Broward Sheriff Fire; Monica Maldonado, Oakland Park Fire Rescue;
Dan Moran, Davie Fire Rescue; Jorge Gonzalez, Davie Fire Rescue; Dr. Peter Antevy, Davie Fire Rescue; Orlando Dominquez, Brevard Fire Rescue
Larry S. Jordan EMS Hall of Fame Award: Mark Postma, Sunstar Paramedics
Raymond H. Alexander EMS Medical Director of the Year: Dr. John R. McPherson, Brevard County Fire Rescue
Marilyn Crook EMS Pioneer Award: Dr. Peter Gianas, Bradford County EMS
