From Staff Reports Cumberland Times-News
CUMBERLAND — Brad Frantz, former director of the Garrett County Department of Emergency Management, is the recipient of the Leon W. Hayes Award for Excellence in Emergency Medical Services and was honored during a Tuesday ceremony in Annapolis by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems.
Frantz recently retired after 38 years of service and was recognized by MIEMSS for his “many positive changes in emergency services and management over his distinguished career and many years of service to the citizens of Garrett County,” according to the award nomination.
Tuesday’s ceremony also honored children who provided a life-saving service to someone in their community and included presentation of the annual Stars of Life Awards to EMS personnel, citizens and EMS programs.
The award presentations are part of Maryland’s observance of EMS Week, part of a national celebration to honor approximately 750,000 EMS providers nationwide. This year, the theme is One Mission. One Team. This year’s theme emphasizes the true team approach that is practiced by emergency services providers.
Maryland joins the nation in recognizing its 27,000 prehospital care providers, both career and volunteer. “Working as an emergency medical services provider is different from any other career,” said Dr. Robert Bass, executive director of MIEMSS. “You get tremendous satisfaction from helping others and knowing you have made a difference between life and death. Our Maryland EMS providers perform a vital service for their local community and the state of Maryland.”