Local Emergency Medical Services agencies and personnel received top awards during the Peninsulas Emergency Medical Services Council annual awards ceremony held on June 24 in Newport News.

The Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad was named Outstanding EMS Agency, MVRS training officer Glenn Mantell was named Outstanding EMS Pre-Hospital Educator, and Gloucester and Abingdon Fire and Rescue shared an award for Outstanding EMS Call of the Year.

In addition, the Middlesex County Volunteer Rescue Squad was recognized for Outstanding Contribution to EMS for Children, and former Gloucester resident Dr. Gaylord Ray was named Outstanding EMS Physician.

Outstanding EMS Agency

Ron Lambert, chairman of the MVRS board of directors, said the squad’s award was for a number of innovative programs it has instituted over the past year, most importantly its incorporation of the new STEMI protocols enacted region-wide last spring.

The new protocols have guidelines for all levels of care for a...