- Last Updated on Tuesday, 01 September 2015 19:38
Jefferson Hills Area Ambulance Association (JHAAA) celebrated the tireless enthusiastic devotion of several of its volunteer members at its last Board of Directors and Membership Meeting held December 16, with a dinner reception at Jefferson Hospital Bibro Pavilion, Jefferson Hills.
Pictured are (l-r): Robert S. Zirkle, PA-C PHPE NRP, physician assistant, JHAAA Medical Coordinator; Mr. Vaughan, EMT (Life Member); Mrs. Stanton, EMT (Life Member); Linda J. Carlson, JHAAA President (Life Member); Mr. Frye, EMT; Mrs. Gibson, RN-paramedic; Mrs. Vargo; and Mr. Madaras, NRP, JHAAA Assistant Medical Coordinator. Not pictured: Mr. Bahur, EMT and Mr. Milliron, EMT, JHAAA Board Secretary (Life Member). |
Gary B. Vaughan, EMT, of Elrama in Union Township, received JHAAA's "2014 Medical Member of the Year" citation, having donated an incredible 3,345 hours of volunteer time to the Association. Mr. Vaughan, 66, a lifelong public servant of firefighting, rescue, and emergency medical care around the Elrama area for the last 40 years, started with the Elrama Volunteer Fire Company and its volunteer ambulance service in 1974, and now primarily works with JHAAA's wheelchair and stretcher van operations. He offers a friendly face, warm smile, and safe attentive convalescent trips to and from hospitals, dialysis centers, and physicians' offices for those whose health have rendered them non-ambulatory.
"2014 Non-Medical Member of the Year" was awarded to Sherry L. Vargo, of Forward Township, who availed an amazing 600 hours of her time to greeting customers, answering telephones, and performing a myriad of clerical tasks to assist billing operations at JHAAA's business office.
Six volunteer medical members were presented special commendations for "2014 Exceptional Volunteer Service to our Communities," filling many functions that extends JHAAA's outreach into our 911 primary response area of Jefferson Hills, West Elizabeth, and Forward and Union Townships. Their time assures JHAAA's presence by providing first aid services on-site at community fairs, firefighter carnivals, fireworks displays, and athletic competitions; by distributing candy to youth through Halloween patrols and summer parades; by participating in commemorative affairs through funeral details and honoring our nation's veterans at Memorial Day events; and by hosting free flu shot clinics in each municipality every fall. Several serve as reserve responders from home back filling our stations to assure additional ambulances are ready during times of high 911 call volumes, such as during severe weather and multi-casualty accidents.
Recognized were Zachary T. Bahur, EMT, of Pleasant Hills; Edward M. Frye Sr., EMT, of Elrama in Union Township; Sheryl A. Gibson, RN nurse-paramedic, of North Huntingdon; Jonathan A. Madaras, NRP (nationally registered paramedic), of Gastonville in Union Township; William H. Milliron, EMT, of Floreffe in Jefferson Hills; and Marlene A. Stanton, EMT, a life member of JHAAA since 1976, of Floreffe in Jefferson Hills.
JHAAA is a combination career and volunteer EMS company always looking for genuinely interested, civic-minded people who wish to share their compassion for others and to give back a part of themselves to our communities as volunteer ambulance crew members. Inquire for training requirements and membership details by calling 412-384-0111.