Poughkeepsie, NY… As National EMS Week continues, Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino applauds all those who work in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) response, whether as a volunteer, career or commercial provider – with special congratulations to those who were recently honored at the Dutchess County Emergency Medical Services Council’s annual EMS Awards Ceremony, which recognizes 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, providing calm, professional assistance to callers and responding agencies during high stress situations.
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, "As we continue to shine a light on the critical role EMS plays in our community, we're proud to recognize the outstanding work of so many dedicated professionals, including our own Dutchess County Public Safety Dispatchers. Being honored as Communications Specialists of the Year and the Inter-Agency Collaboration Award is a testament to their teamwork, professionalism, and life-saving impact.
"When someone calls 9-1-1, they're often facing one of the worst moments of their life. Our dispatchers are the calm, capable voices on the other end, setting help into motion. We are so proud of their work and remain committed to supporting and strengthening EMS services across Dutchess County."
Nine public safety dispatchers at the Dutchess County 9-1-1 Center, including Linda Mihans, Nathan Robbins, Alyssa Coonrod, Mark DePasquale, Erin Downing, Thomas Fry, Wes Hall, Isaac Knapp and former dispatcher Orly Schwartz were honored with the EMS Communications Specialists of the Year and the Inter-Agency Collaboration Awards. The group was recognized for its response to a critical and complex incident that occurred in September 2024 in the Chelsea Fire District in the Town of Fishkill, including their speed, accuracy and compassion in taking calls over the course of two shifts and coordinating 10 agencies that responded to the incident. During events such as this, 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.
In 2024, public safety dispatchers at the Dutchess County 9-1-1 Center answered nearly 210,000 individual phone calls and dispatched assistance to over 118,000 individual incidents through the 9-1-1 Computer Aided Dispatch system.
Highlighting the importance of EMS and addressing obstacles that challenge EMS response has been a top priority for County Executive Serino. 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, fire districts and rescue squads. Learn more at dutchessny.gov/EMSMatters.
This year’s recipients of the Dutchess County EMS Council Awards include:
Basic Life Support Provider of the Year
Samantha Possenti, EMT-B
Empress EMS
Advanced Life Support Provider of the Year
Empress EMS
EMS Agency of the Year
West Clinton Fire District
Harriet C. Weber EMS Leadership Award
Joseph Bilotto, EMT-P, CIC
Empress
EMS Communications Specialists of the Year &
Interagency Collaboration Award
Alyssa Coonrod, Mark DePasquale, Erin Downing, Thomas Fry, Wes Hall, Isaac Knapp,
Linda Mihans, Nathan Robbins, and Orly Schwartz
Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response
Physician of Excellence
Dr. David W. Templeton, MD
MidHudson Regional Hospital
EMS Mentor of the Year
Victor Reinosa, EMT-B
Beekman Fire District
EMS Lifesaver
Kali Currier & Vance Currier, EMT-P
Jacob Gates, Lindsey Martin & Meaha Nucifore, EMT-B
Russell Boyles, Dispatcher
Northern Dutchess Paramedic (NDP) EMS
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 our EMS providers. Congratulations to all the honorees on this well-deserved recognition.”
