CAIRO — Grady County EMS is celebrating its first EMS Service of the Year Award win at Thursday’s Southwest Georgia Region VIII annual EMS Awards Banquet.

Held in Moultrie, the event honored services and its members in the region’s 27 counties.

“I was surprised, even though I knew my staff deserved it,” EMS Director Billy Rathel said Tuesday. “There were other good counties nominated — Sumter, Tift, Phoebe-Worth — and I was real proud of my crew for their hard work. It was an unbelievable experience for our county to be nominated and for us to win. I hope we can continue to provide the best service we can to our citizens.”

Grady EMS has 17 full-time employees and five part-time employees.

Rathel, who took over as director in May 2007, said services are nominated for their work within their communities, such as helping public health, responding to calls, teaching CPR classes and visiting schools.

Ten Grady EMS employees also won Pre Hospital Save Awards for establishing vital signs in patients who did not have one upon their arrival on scene and prior to their arrival at a hospital.

Paramedic Tony Williams said staff works hard at Grady EMS.

“A lot of hard work has been put in by everyone here over last year to really improve and re-establish Grady County’s reputation as top EMS in the region and state,” he said.

Williams feels, under the direction of Rathel, Grady EMS is headed in the right direction.

Shift Commander Donna Folsom said everyone was excited over the win.

“I think everyone at the table was thrilled, stood up and clapped,” she recalled. “I definitely think we are deserving, but it is always a nice surprise when others think you are, too. The Mitchell County commander said, ‘Just because you’re small doesn’t mean you can’t be great’ and that is definitely true for us.”

Folsom said Grady EMS is trying to move forward by offering the latest and best technology its funding can provide, as well as staying current with the latest training. She also said staff is like family.

“In order to do the job and do it well, one has to be dedicated and that comes from somewhere deep inside,” she said. “This is not a job I think anyone here takes lightly. Peoples’ lives are in our hands every day and we take a lot of pride in our work and do our very best. The kinship we share with everyone who comes through this field is we all share that drive. We live with these folks 24 hours a day every third day and it takes a special individual. You’ve got to want to be around people and help them when they are at their scariest and lowest points. They are looking to you for answers and the confidence and strength to get them through it.”

Other awards presented to local services/citizens at the banquet include: