Wintergreen
Nelson County, Virginia
A lot of Nelson EMS personnel and squads received some much deserved recognition last week during the Thomas Jefferson EMS Council Regional Awards banquet held at Glenmore Country Club on May 13th. TJEMS includes the Counties of Greene, Madison, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa, Nelson, and the City of Charlottesville.
Wintergreen Fire & Rescue Chief Curtis Sheets was at the awards ceremony. Chief Sheets also serves as the Deputy Director of Wintergreen Property Owners Association.
In first person below Chief Sheets sums up the evening, we couldn’t have said it better and are very proud and honored to be based in a county with such wonderful EMS crews.
“For me, the coolest story of the night was Mary Embrey from Nelson County Rescue Squad winning the “Outstanding Administrator” award. Mrs. Embrey has been a member for 51 years. Her first 30 years were as an ALS (advanced life support) provider. She responded to Hurricane Camille, and the “Great Southern Crescent Trail Derailment” in the 70s. Today she continues to assist the agency with fundraising and bookkeeping. Many of her family have been or become public servant models. I was very pleased to see her recognized.
Another neat story involves the Outstanding 911 Telecomunicator award which was given to Taylor Ashley from Charlottesville-Albemarle-UVA Emergency Communications Center. Taylor grew up around both the Rockfish and Wintergreen Fire Departments. His father Tommy is a life member of Wintergreen Fire Department and was responsible for snow making at Wintergreen for many years. Taylor was a member of Wintergreen Rescue for a couple of years, however now is a member of Western-Albemarle Rescue Squad. I have always known of him to be a can-do kind of person, and I was happy to see him recognized.
Outstanding Contribution to EMS is a difficult award to win. Last night that award was given to Kostas Alibertis. You will recognize his name from Wintergreen Ski Patrol where his is a manager one or two nights per week, and has been for 20 years. Kostas is also the Chief of Western-Albemarle Rescue Squad and professionally teaches the Doctors and Nurses at UVA how to handle cardiac arrests. He is hands-down one of the absolute most talented care providers I have ever seen.
Our own Peyton Galloway was up for Outstanding Contribution to EMS by a High School Senior. If it stopped there, I think Peyton may have won the award. However, this particular award comes with a $1,000 scholarship, therefore financial need factors in. Peyton will be attending the United States Air Force Academy where he will actually be getting paid to attend school. Peyton gets an “A” for effort.
Last but not least, Wintergreen Rescue was awarded Outstanding EMS Agency. Major components of our success include our ability to handle patient surges (ski season), our ability to handle such a diverse and county-wide program, and our ability to handle very large scale special events. We couldn’t do any of this without both the volunteer and the staff. In my eyes, both are absolutely essential. Our President, Houston Sorenson, as well as 5 volunteers were on hand to accept the award.
Thanks and congratulations to all!
Curtis
Curtis N. Sheets, MPA
Deputy Executive Director
Chief of Fire & Rescue
Wintergreen Property Owners Association”
We agree, congrats to everyone!
