REMSA TO HONOR TWO HEROES AS PART OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) WEEK

May 17, 2004 – As part of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week, the Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority (REMSA) will honor two local heroes for their exceptional accomplishments.

Kristopher Kumanchik, a Reno Boy Scout, will be honored with the REMSA Life Saver award for saving his mother’s life after she experienced life threatening difficulties. Kumanchik aided his mother by using medical techniques he learned at REMSA’s Ready Man class as part of the Boy Scouts curriculum. The class prepares the Boy Scouts for various medical emergencies they may encounter and teaches them proper steps to aid a victim. REMSA paramedic and Ready Man teacher Travis Simpson will be presenting Kumanchik with the award.

The other honoree will be REMSA Paramedic Stacie Selmi. Selmi was presented with the 2004 Star of Life award in a ceremony on May 2 in Washington D.C. by the American Ambulance Association. Star of Life Awards are given to individuals who exemplify excellence in ambulance services above and beyond the call of duty. Selmi received the national honor for her outstanding professional achievements and commitment to service in the community as a paramedic.

The honors will be presented on Thursday, May 20, 2004 at 1 p.m. at the REMSA facility located at 450 Edison Way.

Emergency Medical Services Week 2004 will bring together local communities and medical personnel to publicize safety and honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of the medical "front line."

The theme of this year's EMS Week, "EMS: There When You Need Us," focuses on the commitment and dedication of the 750,000 EMS providers who provide an essential community service every day.

Throughout EMS Week, state and local planners will hold activities honoring paramedics, emergency medical technicians, first responders, fire fighters, and the police. EMS providers also will educate the public about injury prevention, safety awareness, and medical emergencies.

450 Edison Way Reno, Nevada 89502 (775)858-5700 Fax (775)858-5720