Shane Hill Receives GEMSA Chairman’s Award

Chief Shane Hill was the recipient of the 2018 GEMSA Chairman’s Award from the Georgia Emergency Medical Services Association (GEMSA). Award winners were announced at an awards reception on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at 6:00 pm at the Georgia Freight Depot in Atlanta, Georgia following the GEMSA EMS Day at the Capitol legislative event. GEMSA award nominees, members, guests, legislators and other elected officials, including the Governor, were in attendance.

This award is picked solely by the Chairman of the Association, which is currently Chad Black. Black said, “For me, in selecting the Chairman’s Award, Chief Shane Hill was an easy choice. I’m not saying there aren’t others who would certainly be worthy of this award, but his selection left me with no doubts or questions as to if I was making the right selection.”

Chief Hill, or Shane as he prefers, has been a volunteer who has contributed to EMS behind the scenes for more than 10 years as the Lead Audio Visual Coordinator for GEMSA. Shane, while never being part of the GEMSA Board, has been a mainstay of the GEMSA organization for years. Shane makes all the association conferences and events, like the awards banquet, run smoothly in regard to sound, audio, and video set up. He is always there the day before events to start the process of getting all the technology set up, which is a major undertaking on its own. From there, he is behind the scenes making sure all goes smoothly, from start to finish. He never asks for anything in return, only to help. His presence is always needed and wanted by all of the board members, not only for his work, but his friendship and leadership.

“He is one of the best,” said Black. “My choice was easy for this year’s selection as his commitment to the fire and EMS professions and GEMSA is unwavering and always consistent. For that, this award was one way our organization, and myself serving as Chairman, could simply say ‘Thank You’ Chief Hill. We are forever indebted to you for all you have done for us through the years, and we hope your presence will be part of this for the future.”

The annual Chairman's award was recently renamed the Courtney Terwilliger Chairman's Award after past GEMSA Chairman Courtney Terwilliger who served the association as chairman for many years. Recipients of the Chairman's award are individuals who embody the core values of integrity, honor, caring for people, team spirit, and strong community outreach. It is also a person who repeatedly offers their time and expertise in assisting GEMSA to meet the mission statement of the organization. The mission of the Georgia Emergency Medical Services Association is to advocate for the emergency medical provider, develop educational programs, liaison activities, provider programs, and improvements to the Emergency Medical Service system in Georgia.

GEMSA is a statewide membership organization that represents more than 14,000 EMTs, Paramedics, Nurses, Physicians, and businesses that support emergency medical services. GEMSA administers grants that benefit EMS services, which in turn benefit our communities across the state. The association also offers continuing education credits at two conferences held every year along with other training opportunities. Learn more at www.georgiaemsassociation.com.