FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DVA AMBULANCE EMT AND VERNON TOWNSHIP RESIDENT BETTY JONES WINS MICHIGAN EMT OF THE YEAR AWARD!

Betty Jones (pictured above left) of Vernon Township was named Michigan’s EMT of The Year at the Michigan Association of EMTs Conference in Grand Rapids this past weekend. 

Betty Jones has been a volunteer and then an employee of DVA Ambulance since 1974 and has lived in Vernon Township for over fifty years. Betty Jones was a past recipient of the Durand Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year Award. 

The EMT of The Year Award is presented annually to an EMS worker in the state of Michigan who has been nominated d by their peers to receive the award for outstanding service in the profession. Betty Jones has remained a vital asset to DVA Ambulance and an advocate for EMS in Shiawassee County.

Congratulations Betty Jones

Following is the Nomination Letter submitted to the Michigan Assoication of EMTs by Charles McGlinchey (pictured above right), DVA Operations Manager.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to proudly nominate Betty Jones, EMT for the prestigious award of EMT of The Year. I have known Betty Jones since I first became associated with DVA over sixteen years ago. Over the years I continue to be impressed with the dedication Betty exhibits on a daily basis.

Betty Jones started her EMS career as a volunteer for DVA Ambulance, Inc. in November of 1976.  At this time in her life she had already raised a family and was looking for something to occupy her time and serve her community.  Betty began with DVA as an “Ambulance Attendant”.  She obtained her EMT license in October of 1984.   Since her first day at DVA, Betty has given continuous and selfless service to the citizens of the Durand area in their time of need.

Throughout the years, Betty has participated in training events and fund raisers for DVA as well as other EMS services throughout the area. In the Early 1990’s when the new buzz words were “OSHA” and “blood borne pathogens” and we were all worried about walking around looking like spacemen on every call, Betty stepped up to the plate and  took what then was the most unpopular job someone in EMS could have.  Betty Jones became DVA’s first Exposure Control Officer.  This is a position she has held with vigilance to this day.

In 1992 when DVA began carrying semi-automatic defibrillators, Betty Jones became one of the first EMTs in Shiawassee County to have a “CPR save” using an AED.  In 2000 DVA Ambulance made the significant change from a volunteer service to a paid service.  Betty Jones continued to serve eventually becoming a full time employee.

In the past four years DVA has changed a great deal.  DVA became an ALS provider, established new bases of operations in the City of Flint, and upgraded equipment and dispatch systems.  Along with all these new changes came new responsibilities and additional training requirements that had to be met by the employees. Considered by some to be an “old timer”, Betty Jones has all but cast aside this stereotype.  She embraces every new change and challenge with enthusiasm and optimism.

Betty Jones has won several Excellence in EMS Awards from the Shiawassee Area Ambulance Association and Shiawassee County Medical Control, the latest were in 2003 and 2004.  Betty Jones was also a past recipient of the Durand Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year Award.