Health District Recognizes
Galveston EMS

Press Release
01/05/06

La Marque - Galveston EMS set a new yearly service record in 2005 responding to 10,152 emergency calls.  At an awards dinner held recently several employees who played key roles in responding to the increased number of calls were recognized for their service by the Galveston County Health District.

A highlight of the evening came when Trey Frankovich, Lisa Vandeursen, Edwin Smith Sr., and Edwin Smith Jr. received Medals of Honor for their response to a building fire during the height of Hurricane Rita on Galveston Island. The Smith’s, father and son, treated and transported a woman, found in the street at the scene of the fire that had suffered burns. Frankovich and Vanduersen treated and transported a burned firefighter. 

Notable is the fact that the four recognized EMS veterans volunteered to respond, along with police and fire personnel, to the injured after the City had shut down all emergency services because the island was experiencing near 100 mph wind gusts during Hurricane Rita.

Also at the awards dinner, Galveston EMS Supervisor Rocky Clare was recognized for his 25 years of service and Senior Paramedic Brian Bader received his five year service pin.  Other special awards included Supervisor Amy Weber, Paramedic of the Year; team Captain Kathy Kirkpatrick, Employee of the Year; Senior Team Captain Paul Grizzle and EMT Travis Farley as Flight Medics of the Year. 

The Health District also recognized Dr. Russell K. Miller for his leadership in the county after the loss of a private EMS that provided services to the Galveston County Mainland.  Dr. Miller is now serving as EMS Medical Director for the majority of Galveston County. “We are pleased to have such a highly recognized physician serving in this capacity allowing us to provide excellent service to the community,” says Dr. Mark Guidry, Chief Executive Officer and Galveston County Health Authority. “Dr. Miller was recently recognized as one of the top physicians in the country by the consumer guide America’s Top Doctors and is a great asset to local emergency services.” 

Galveston EMS stepped in to provide emergency services in several mainland communities after the private service ceased operations.  Services were provided primarily in the communities of Dickinson, La Marque, Bacliff, and San Leon. It was this expansion that contributed to a record setting year.

Galveston Island remains the community with the highest service calls per capita in the state with more than one call per six persons,” according to Greg Kunkel, Chief of Operations for Galveston EMS.  The City of Galveston provided funding in October to put an additional ambulance in service on the island.  This will help meet the increased demand for services in Galveston and has reduced local response times. 

Galveston EMS is an operation of the Galveston County Health District and has been providing ambulance service for more than 30 years.  Historically it has provided service primarily to Galveston Island, but with EMS service changes on the Mainland it looks to play a larger role there in the future.

For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
(409) 938-2211 or 409.392.0007
kkoopman@gchd.org