Escambia County EMS Recognized During 'A Night Honoring Healers'

Five Escambia County EMS employees were honored as "Healers" during USA Health's "A Night Honoring Healers " on Thursday, Nov. 7, in Mobile for their role providing lifesaving care to severe burn survivor, Joie Hellmich.

On March 30, 2022, Escambia County EMS and Escambia County Fire Rescue were dispatched to the Circle K gas station, located at 4501 N. W St., for a person-on-fire call. Within minutes, Escambia County EMS arrived on the scene and began to administer care.

After a brief stay at Baptist Hospital, Hellmich was transported to USA Health University Hospital's Arnold Luterman Regional Burn Center in Mobile, where she received specialized care for the next seven weeks.

As a result of the hard work, expertise, life-saving bravery, and steadfastness involved in Hellmich's rescue and care, the following Escambia County EMS employees were recognized as "Healers" by the University of South Alabama's USA Foundation:

• Reid Jackson - Paramedic Supervisor
• Angela Jackson - Paramedic
• Sarah Fish - Paramedic
• Clifton Wheeler - EMT
• Danielle Hopkins - EMT

Each EMS employee was honored with a medal draping ceremony during Thursday's gala.

"Each and every day, the men and women of Escambia County EMS strive to be the healers for their community, EMS Chief Chris Watts said. "The five individuals honored reflect the core of our values: service, professionalism and vigilance. Their life-saving abilities were put on display when they encountered Ms. Hellmich in 2022, and, on behalf of Escambia County EMS, we're overjoyed by her remarkable recovery and wish her continued success during her journey of healing."

View Joie Hellmich's story highlighting her recovery here.

Photos courtesy of USA Health

(From left to right: Hopkins, A. Jackson, R. Jackson, Wheeler, Fish)

EMS Chief Chris Watts and Deputy Chief Chris Stephens with the recognized EMS "Healers"

Burn survivor Joie Hellmich with EMT Wheeler and Paramedic Fish

Additional photos from "A Night Honoring Healers" can be viewed here.