Durham County Emergency Medical Services

05/27/2026

Today is Well Done Wednesday, where we spotlight exceptional work by our paramedics, AEMTs and EMTs. This week’s honorees are Paramedic Darren Steadman and EMT Elijah Hall.

This crew recently responded to a patient who had fallen from a significant height and suffered a painful and serious leg injury. They slowly and methodically extricated the patient from the scene, making sure to balance preserving the patient’s neurological function and controlling their pain.

05/25/2026

Today is Save Sunday, where we recognize the medics, AEMTs and EMTs who were involved in cardiac arrests with sustained ROSC (return of spontaneous circulation) during the previous week. Great job everyone!

05/24/2026

05/23/2026

The final day of EMS Week is EMS Remembrance Day.

Today, we honor the EMS professionals who have given their lives in line of duty. We remember their service, their sacrifice, and the lasting impact they made on their communities.

We also remember current and former DCEMS employees who have died in the previous year, including Lt. Kevin O’Connor, Paramedic Whitney Rodgers, and Ret. Paramedic Randy Hill.

We hold their families and colleagues in our hearts.

05/23/2026

05/22/2026

For our final Recognition Day award, we are proud to announce AEMT Jacob Byrd as the recipient of the Vic Pearson Award.

Chief Jackie Holmes writes, "Vic Pearson was a paramedic with Durham County EMS from 1989 to 1994. He was known and loved for his consistent display of professionalism, clinical competence, and compassionate care. Vic knew no strangers, as the public safety and medical communities embraced and treated him as a colleague on and off duty. To honor his legacy, the Emergency Department personnel from Regional and Duke started annually nominating DCEMS providers who exemplified Vic’s character. This event evolved into the Vic Pearson EMS Award, announced during EMS Week each year."

Here are some of the nomination comments regarding AEMT Byrd:

"There have been countless times when his methodical approach and clinical knowledge of pathophysiology has benefitted their patients. He has shown time and time again that he looks at the whole picture of patient encounters in order to come up with the best possible treatment plan and outcome for his patients."

"Jacob has always been the role model field practitioner in every way. He's reliable, professional, competent and unflappable. Never gets too high or low and always doing what's best for his patients."

"He has shown in multiple ways what the ideal employee should be. His uniform is always in top order. He ensures that shift-mates are aware of relevant information such as low stock, road blocks, and upcoming county deadlines."

"He looks out for his partner and other crews by taking as many calls as he can that fall under his scope of practice. He truly wants to make Durham EMS an amazing and fun place to work."

"Every single shift that I have worked with Jacob, we have at least one patient encounter where the patient is better off then how we initially found them. He extends that not only to patients but also other providers."

Congratulations, Jacob!

05/22/2026

We are proud to present Sgt. Bree Gezzar with the Donald Fonville Field Training Officer Award.

The Donald Fonville Award honors the spirit of Donald Fonville: a Marine veteran, minister, and beloved Durham EMS FTO who shaped generations through compassion, high standards, and unwavering dedication to service. To receive this award means carrying forward his legacy of mentorship, excellence, and heart for the Durham community.

Division Chief Sara Houston shared these award nomination comments: "Sgt. Gezzar is passionate about EMS and education. She is always learning and encouraging others to grow. While on the ambulance, she is patient, compassionate, and takes the time to connect with both patients and trainees. In her capacity as an FTO, she offers clear guidance to her trainees, providing them with useful resources and building their confidence; she creates a calm, supportive environment and celebrates the success of her trainees."

Congratulations, Bree!

05/22/2026

Next in our Recognition Day lineup is the Medical Director's Award, which was presented to Paramedic Sarah Waycaster, Paramedic Adam Regoni, EMT Preston Antrilli, and EMT Alex Nangle. District Chief Max Patterson also received the Outstanding Operational Performance Commendation along with the Medical Director's Award for this call.

Dr. Anjni Joiner writes, "These crews were called to the scene where a patient had fallen out of a boat, drowned, and was rescued by his friends and family, who began CPR while still on the boat in the open water. When this fantastic crew of Durham County EMS providers responded, they immediately hiked approximately 1.5 miles off the roadway via train tracks to the site of the patient where they began care. Over the course of the next 30 min, the crews worked expertly while the logistics of a rescue were planned in the background.

Ultimately, the patient was loaded on a fire department boat, and the resuscitation continued during the travel across open water to a coordinated exit point. The patient even required defibrillation during the boat trip. The patient was ultimately loaded into an ambulance approximately 8 miles from the initial entry point and transported to the ED.

While the resuscitation was unfortunately not successful, they provided this patient with the best chance of survival possible, and the efforts and dedication of the treatment team were outstanding. Congratulations!"

05/22/2026

The Outstanding Pediatric Care Award of the year went to the following recipients: Dave Brown, Tara Cullen, Cynthia Fazen, Grace Jones, Jeffrey McLamb, Kaz Moore, Mil Mulder, John O'Donnell, Aubrey Palmer, Brianne Schumacher, Devin Sparks, Mike Szymanski, and Harvey Thomas.

Dr. Anjni Joiner writes, "These Durham County EMS professionals responded to what may prove to be one of the most disturbing scenes of their career, yet they maintained themselves with the utmost professionalism, providing expert and empathetic care to two critically injured children and two adults ... I cannot express my gratitude enough to these crews for handling this situation with such expert skill and compassion. No one is more deserving of this award. Congratulations!"

05/22/2026

Next on Recognition Day, EMT Nicholas Desjardin received the Medal of Honor for Merit for his conduct on a recent structure fire.

"Fire and EMS units were dispatched to a structure fire where heavy fire was found on arrival," writes Chief Komansky. "While navigating dark, smoke-filled, and slippery conditions outside the residence, Nick sustained an injury. Despite this, he immediately took the lead in providing care and resuscitation efforts for several dogs rescued from the fire.

Following the successful care of the animals, Nick then treated, advocated for, and transported a burned firefighter, ensuring the patient received timely and appropriate care. Only after all others - human and animal - had been cared for did Nick seek evaluation for his own injuries, which resulted in several days of lost work.

Nick’s actions on this incident demonstrate exceptional dedication, professionalism, and compassion under difficult and hazardous conditions. His commitment to patient care, even while injured, reflects great credit upon himself and the organization."

05/22/2026

Our Recognition Day celebration continues! AEMT Isaac Collado received the Medal of Honor for Merit for his actions on a call this winter where multiple patients were trapped by an aggressive dog on the third floor of their townhome.

Chief Komansky writes, "With no safe access available through either the ground level or second story entrances, responders identified a flat section of roof outside the trapped family’s window. Demonstrating calm under pressure and a strong commitment to patient care, AEMT Collado carefully climbed from the second story balcony onto this roof to gain entry through the window. Once inside, he began calming, triaging, and treating patients while other EMS, law enforcement, and the fire department worked to develop safe extraction options.

Through coordinated efforts with the Durham Fire Department, all patients and family members were safely removed from the home and transported to the hospital.

While there was outstanding work by the entire response, during a frightening and highly unusual situation, AEMT Collado stepped up decisively, ensuring that patients received prompt assessment and care while awaiting safe removal. His professionalism, problem solving, and teamwork reflect great credit and bravery."