Poughkeepsie, NY… As EMS Week continues, the Dutchess County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council hosted its annual EMS Awards Ceremony on May 22nd, at the Dinsmore Golf Club in Staatsburg, to recognize dedicated EMS providers, agencies and local hospital staff. Several Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response 9-1-1 Public Safety Dispatchers were among the honorees recognized for their work and dedication in the field. Public safety dispatchers have a critical, behind-the-scenes role in EMS, particularly during recent high stress incidents that have included suicide attempts, explosions, and other life-threatening situations.
County Executive Sue Serino said, “As we continue to highlight the importance of EMS as an essential service, we are thrilled to celebrate the accomplishments of so many dedicated people who are serving in the EMS field, helping to save lives every day, including our own Dutchess County Public Safety Dispatchers. When people call 9-1-1 for help, they have the expectation of getting help quickly. We are grateful to all those who are diligently working every day to ensure that happens. We recognize the challenges facing the EMS profession across the nation, and we are committed to developing solutions to ensure this essential service continues to be available to anyone who needs it.”
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Erin Downing received the EMS Communications |
Erin Downing was honored with the EMS Communications Specialist of the Year Award. Ms. Downing began her career with Dutchess County’s 9-1-1 Center in 2021 and was promoted to Public Safety Dispatcher in October 2023. In her role, she has taken numerous calls from individuals, or those whose family members were experiencing significant medical emergencies or mental health crisis, including suicide attempts. Ms. Downing handles these intense and sensitive calls with compassion, empathy and professionalism, remaining on the line with the caller until first responders arrive on the scene, and has been a critical part of saving lives. This is the second time Ms. Downing has received the EMS Communications Specialist of the Year Award.
Public Safety Dispatchers Peggy Mulligan, Linda Polinsky, Kerry Vittone, Joe Dingee, Doug Eighmy, Dan Emery, Andrew Ludwig, Catherine Larkin and Brian Labulis, who comprised the Dutchess County 9-1-1 Center’s “Group Three” team were all honored with the Excellence in EMS Quality and Safety Award, given to EMS personnel who have made a significant contribution to enhance the focus on the delivery of EMS in the community, leading to a measurable and sustainable improvement in EMS safety, patient care quality and/or the efficiency of response or resource development. Group Three was recognized for its speed, accuracy and compassion in taking calls during crises, including the November 2023 gas explosion and house fire in the Village of Wappingers Falls and the June 2023 tractor trailer rollover accident into a body of water in the Village of Millerton. During incidents such as these, dispatchers must manage a rapid influx of calls, dispatch hundreds of units and assist with essential communications, all while handling other 9-1-1 calls from throughout the rest of the county. Despite the stress and intense nature of such emergencies, the dispatchers remained focused, working together and in collaboration with first responders, both on the radio and the phone.
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From left, Public Safety Dispatchers Joe Dingee, Linda Polinsky, Dan Emery, Andrew Ludwig, Doug Eighmy, and Kerry Vittone (not shown Peggy Mulligan, Brian Labulis, and Catherine Larkin) who comprised the Dutchess County 9-1-1 Center’s “Group Three” team honored with the Excellence in EMS Quality and Safety Award. |
In 2023, public safety dispatchers at the Dutchess County 9-1-1 Center answered more than 210,000 individual phone calls and dispatched assistance to over 118,000 individual incidents through the 9-1-1 Computer Aided Dispatch system.
Director of Dutchess County 9-1-1 Timothy Darcy said, “Our 9-1-1 Center Dispatchers handle every call with a consistent level of calm professionalism. Whether coordinating resources during significant emergencies, helping individuals in mental health crisis or answering accidental 9-1-1 calls, our dispatchers treat each caller with the same calm empathy and skill, while helping ensure first responders receive relevant information. We are proud to celebrate these individuals’ dedication to their work and the wellbeing of our community.”
Highlighting the importance of EMS and addressing challenges that plague EMS response has been a top priority for County Executive Serino. EMS across the nation, and here in Dutchess County, has been challenged by dwindling numbers of people choosing to volunteer or pursue careers, due to multiple factors, including the high stress nature of the profession, often coupled with low pay. Empowering the current workforce and finding new ways to recruit and retain talent in EMS is part of a multi-pronged effort, led by Dutchess County Emergency Response, in collaboration with local municipalities and fire and ambulance districts, to deliver a comprehensive EMS strategy that is patient-centered, consistent, reliable, affordable and sustainable.
Commissioner of Emergency Response Dana Smith said, “We continue to work with our municipal partners to find sustainable ways to ease the burden on our EMS system and are proud to celebrate the work of the EMS professionals who remain tirelessly dedicated to meeting the needs of residents every day. Our staff at the 9-1-1 Center are committed to helping save lives and make a difference in our community, and we are grateful for their professionalism and compassion for callers and first responders alike.”
This year’s recipients of the Dutchess County EMS Council Awards include:
Basic Life Support Provider of the Year
Kyle Maxwell, Northern Dutchess Paramedics (NDP) EMS
Advanced Life Support Provider of the Year
Heather Fraleigh, NDP EMS
EMS Agency of the Year
East Clinton Rescue Squad
Harriet C. Weber EMS Leadership Award
Jeffrey Cotter, Rhinebeck
EMS Educator of Excellence
Susan Prezzano, NDP EMS
Communications Specialist of the Year
Erin Downing, Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response
Excellence in Quality and Safety
Dutchess County 911 Group 3
Registered Professional Nurse of Excellence
Heather Fraleigh, Northern Dutchess Hospital
Physician of Excellence
Dr. Dan Miller, Northern Dutchess Hospital
EMS Mentor
Susan deHaan, East Clinton
EMS Lifesaver
Racheal Bourne, City of Poughkeepsie 911
County Executive Serino concluded, “This week and all year long, we are grateful to the brave men and women who serve as first responders within our communities, including all those who serve in EMS. Congratulations to all the honorees on this well-deserved recognition.”
