COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Division of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) held its second annual Ohio EMS Awards ceremony today in conjunction with the Ohio Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians (Ohio ACEP) 13th annual EMS Star of Life Awards ceremony.

“Each day in Ohio, EMS providers save lives and perform countless noteworthy acts of caring, kindness and service to their community,” said Ohio EMS Interim Executive Director Ellen Owens. “These awards are a tribute to those individuals and organizations whose overall contributions go beyond their basic duties and responsibilities and who represent the finest traditions of our profession.”

Ceremonies were held this morning in the ODOT Auditorium located at 1980 W. Broad St., in Columbus.

The first segment of the award ceremony was dedicated to the Ohio EMS Awards which recognize outstanding career achievements and honor those in Ohio’s EMS system whose accomplishments rise above the day-to-day excellence of the system.

2011 recipients are:

EMT-Basic of the Year­­­– Dustin Ruehle, Findlay
EMT-Intermediate of the Year–Roxanne Jones, Bowling Green
EMT-Paramedic of the Year– Randall Johann, Cincinnati,
Emergency Medical Service of the Year– Liberty Township Fire Department,
Delaware County
Volunteer Emergency Medical Service of the Year–Putnam County EMS
Emergency Medical Services for Children Provider of the Year –Stephanie Bittner,
EMT-P, Cincinnati
EMS Medical Director of the Year –William “Randy” Marriott, MD., Dayton