FARMINGTON – NorthStar held its annual recognition and awards banquet during National EMS Week to honor its staff of emergency medical providers. NorthStar is the ambulance service of Franklin Memorial Hospital and operates throughout the Greater Franklin County.
This year’s theme was “EMS Strong, Stronger Together” and this dedication was felt throughout the evening. State Senator Tom Saviello, who was in attendance as guest speaker, referred to the staff of NorthStar as super heroes, like Mighty Mouse.
Tim Finn of Strong took top honors as NorthStar’s “Employee of the Year.” This annual award recognizes the one employee who best represents NorthStar’s mission of professionalism, excellent patient care, community service, fiscal responsibility, and overall excellence. On a daily basis Finn shows his dedication and untiring support of NorthStar and the EMS profession.
Other awards presented during the ceremony included: “Above and Beyond” awards given for actions and performances that are a cut above the norm. This year’s recipients were: Cassandra Purington, Alex Lynch, Carol Pillsbury, and Jared Stinson.
EMS “Dinosaur Awards” were given to those serving 25 years or more. They included: Dr. Stephen Zanella, NorthStar medical director, Carol Pillsbury, Lee Ireland, Mike Senecal, Wade Browne, Greg Drummond, Rod Koehn, Barry London, Peter Wade, Don Grondin, Kregg Kane, Jeremy O’Neil, and Jeff Dresser.
Recognized for serving 15+ years were: Beth Scott, Chuck Twitchell, Earle Albert, Jane Clukey, Sherry Labbe, Harold Schaetzle, Ed Goodwin, Chris French, Corey Morse, Mark Rousseau, Shelby Rousseau, Matt Smith, Abbie Shamp, and Stan Wilcox.
Michael Senecal, NorthStar director, stated in his closing remarks, “We very proud of NorthStar’s accomplishments in the thirteen years we have operated as a combined regional EMS service. We have state-of-the-art equipment and modern ambulances, but our most important assets are the professional EMS providers who respond day in and day out. Our entire NorthStar staff exemplifies the best in EMS and we are pleased that we can honor them in this way. We look forward to continuing to provide the highest level of emergency medical services to each and every one of the communities we serve.”
Then two days later Lee Ireland, a NorthStar paramedic/Operations Manager, was presented an EMS Merit Award in a ceremony at the Hall of Flags in Augusta. The award, bestowed by Maine EMS, recognized Ireland’s involvement in establishing the first group of First Responder services in Franklin County, as well as his many years of consistent and excellent patient care.
What about Conley Gould???
Grats Tim!
Conley Gould isn’t able to work for North Star anymore due to medical reasons. However he will ALWAYS be the best damn paramedic North Star has ever had! And he’s is the best neighbor I could have ever asked for. Go get’m Conley!!
Way to go Tim!
Woohoo to all those who give us the security that we are not alone when something happens to our loved ones. Thank You so much ladies and gentlemen for all your hard work. It is greatly appreciated. Your support in the communities you serve is I credible. Thank you so much. Sincerely. Mil.
Thanks to Carol for all your hard work it took to put on the banquet! Thank you Conley for all your hard work for many years. Way to go Tim! I know this is where your heart is.. to help whoever you can, no matter what time, day or in the middle of the night!❤️
Tim I am so proud of you!! I have never seen someone so dedicated to his craft. On multiple occasions I have personally seen this man run at the sound of a scanner, sacrificing time that he could have spent with friends. Saving lives is not something to be taken lightly and you certainly haven’t. Thank you for your example and giving me someone to look up to and aspire to be like.