2000 Paramedic of the Year
The Paramedic of the Year award is for outstanding Advanced Life Support care provided by a paramedic in Skagit County.  This year's winner is Don Spurling.  Don is an outstanding Paramedic who has earned the respect of his peers and all others in the healthcare community.  He has been a Paramedic/Firefighter with Anacortes Fire Department for 5 years. He has volunteered to attend special classes and shares his newly gained knowledge and skills with his fellow Medics and firefighters.  Don goes beyond the call of duty to be involved with his chosen profession.  Thank you Don Spurling your service and community spirit.

2000 B.L.S. Provider
The B.L.S. (Basic Life Support) Provider award is for outstanding care provided by an Emergency Medical Technician or First Responder in Skagit County.  Of the many First Responder's and Emergency Medical Technicians nominated to be Basic Life Support Provider of the Year; there is one who truly stands out.  This year's Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider of the Year has been a volunteer Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician with LaConner Fire Department for 10 years.  His fellow workers have recognized him for his hard work, positive “can do” attitude, being a team player, and commitment to the Skagit County EMS System and fire services.  Dan Taylor has been a tremendous asset to the community of LaConner and Fire District #13.  Often during the day, Dan and his wife Raeann are the only EMS Providers available to provide service to those in need.  Thank you and congratulations, Dan, your peers have recognized your dedication and service to your community by selecting you as BLS Provider of the year.

2000 E.M.S. Educator
The E.M.S. (Emergency Medical Services) Educator award is for outstanding and dedicated service as an E.M.S. educator.  Dave Alberts is this year's winner.  Dave is a Paramedic/Firefighter with Anacortes Fire Department.  During Dave’s limited spare time, he has willingly assisted with the Council's Initial and Continuing Medical Education and Training Program for the past five years.  His professionalism, knowledge, experiences, and skills have benefited the students in acquiring positive learning experiences.  Dave has certainly earned the highest respect of his fellow EMS persons, students and the members of the EMS Council.  Thank you for you constant commitment and efforts for helping make the Skagit County EMS System the best that it can be.

2000 Council Service Award
The Council Service award is for the exemplary service of a volunteer on the EMS Council.  Jim Allen is this year's winner.  Fire Chief Jim Allen is the Chairperson for the EMS Council Equipment Committee.  He has served in that position from 1988 to present.  He is one of the key people responsible for the excellent EMS system that we have in Skagit County.  Jim has always been one of the active participants who quietly and professionally gets the job done without expectations for recognition or rewards.  He is willing to work long and extra hours towards the success of the EMS Council, our EMS System, and quality patient care.  All Skagit County Emergency Service persons and our fellow public citizens benefit as a direct result of his involvement with EMS.

2000 Dispatcher of the Year
On June 27, 2000, at 11:06 AM, Skagit 9-1-1 received a call for a plane crash near Lake Shannon.  The dispatchers on duty did an outstanding job of working together and doing the job perfectly.  The Dispatcher of the Year award was presented to:
     Sharon Henry
     Kevin Bostrom
     Patty Feay
     Kelly Elder
     Diane Kruger
     Jennifer Schubeck

2000 Lifesaving Award
The Lifesaving Award is for a rescue performed by a citizen of Skagit County that resulted in the saving of a life.  On June 10, 2000, the LaConner Fire Department was called to the scene of a one-car accident near a construction site on Highway 20 just east of the Berentson Bridge.  The providers were told via dispatch to expect two patients, one of which was unconscious.  As the incident was near a construction site, workers arrived on the scene immediately, called in the accident, and gave dispatch the information about the patients.  Once the LaConner Fire Department arrived, they saw how critical the patients were and saw how little time they had to get the patients to the hospital.  The patients were a mother and young daughter.  The mother was unconscious with her head lying on the daughter’s lap.  The daughter was crying, conscious, and talking with a construction worker.  The helpful bystanders were willing and ready to help.  With the help of the bystanders the LaConner Fire Department was able to remove the woman quickly, and just as they got her out of the car the Medic Unit arrived and took over EMS care.  Because of the help of the bystanders, extrication of the patients was not only quick but also smooth.

Often times we focus so much on our jobs of helping the patients that we forget about the bystanders who assisted us.  The construction workers saw this call from beginning to end, and did not leave until both patients were safely en route to the hospital.  These men went beyond the call of duty to help, and because of them the mother and daughter survived with no long-term injuries.  The construction worker’s awareness of the severity of the incident, coupled with their willingness to help this woman with a compromised airway probably saved her life.  We commend the men for their outstanding life-saving efforts.

The 2000 Lifesaving Award was presented to:
     Don Cobb
     Bill Pavao
     Lance Lydy
     Rob Miller
     Andy Montez
     Chris Montez
     Gerry Montez
     Matt Montez
     Ken Stout
     Frank Weglitner
     Mike Westfall

2000 Special Recognition Award
Mark Watkinson is a Coordinator for the Skagit County Department Of Emergency Management.  He served as the Chairperson for the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Committee as well as an Executive Board member for several years.  This Special Recognition Award is our way of showing our sincere appreciation for all the work that you have done.  Thank you, Mark, for your many years of dedicated service and assistance to the EMS community.