AUGUSTA – Nine Emergency Medical Services professionals were honored by their peers and Gov. John Baldacci in ceremonies at the State House on May 22. Maine EMS Director Jay Bradshaw said the recipients have all contributed to improving the state’s EMS system, which results in saving lives and reducing injury. This year’s area recipients were:
Governor’s Award for exceptional contribution to the EMS system at the state, national or system-wide level:
Richard Petrie, EMT-Paramedic, Minot.
Petrie’s involvement with EMS began more than 20 years ago. He was a leader in bringing critical incident stress management training to Maine. Petrie is a former Auburn firefighter who now serves as the regional EMS coordinator for the Kennebec Valley EMS office in Winslow and Northeast EMS in Bangor.
Petrie is known throughout the state for his involvement with the prehospital trauma life support program and has established international connections with EMS services in Ireland, where he is a frequent lecturer. Petrie was honored in 1990 with the EMS Administrator Award.
Laurel and Lawrence Gagne, Turner.
Lawrence was the Turner fire chief for 42 years (retiring in 1994) and continues to serve as a dispatcher. Laurel started Turner Rescue in 1978 and has served as its only chief. For many years, the Gagnes kept the ambulance in their barn, and their family home was the ambulance base. Laurel has also been honored in the past with a Jefferson Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Red Cross and a 1989 Special Merit EMS Award.
Michael Robitaille, EMT-P, Lisbon Falls.
Robitaille began his public safety involvement as a teenager. He joined the Brunswick Fire Department in 1987 and has risen through the ranks where he serves as deputy fire chief. Robitaille is also the former fire chief of the Bowdoin Fire Department and was instrumental in starting their rescue unit. He is an instuctor for EMS and fire services.
Paul Conley, EMT-P, Freeport.
Conley is director of Freeport Rescue and has been an active participant in Maine EMS and Fire Service for more than 19 years. He is a MEMS instructor/coordinator and teaches numerous classes each year, including vehicle extrication and technical rescue. During the past three years, Conley has coordinated the expansion of Freeport Rescue from one ambulance to four ambulances.
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