Fry recognized for leadership, volunteerism

Patriot EMS submitted a letter to the Lawrence County Commission Tuesday, signifying that the company fully endorses the 2-mill Lawrence County EMS levy that is on the ballot countywide next week.

“Over the past 15 years, Patriot EMS has served with pride the citizens of Lawrence County. We have participated in numerous drills and mock disasters, from simulated school shootings to Hazardous Materials/WMD exercises. Our organization has worked tirelessly with our 911 counterparts at Lawrence County EMS to ensure that there is not a calamity that the EMS system couldn’t mitigate,” the letter, signed by Patriot EMS Chief of Operations Krista Blankenship, states. “It has been our experience that the staff and management at Lawrence County EMS have always demonstrated a high level of professionalism and empathy towards the patients and communities that we serve. It is our position that the system works and we work well together. Over the past decade, many services have faced fiscal challenges, specifically related to reimbursement from Medicaid and Medicare. These challenges have wreaked havoc on many EMS agencies, resulting in the closure of many services. We share a strong commitment to ensuring the public’s safety, and as such, we fully endorse the EMS levy.”

Lawrence County EMS Director Buddy Fry said he was very happy about the endorsement from Patriot EMS.

Fry was also a recipient of a sterling silver medallion from Dave Milen, of the Lawrence County Bicentennial committee. Following the county bicentennial in 2003, the committee came up with the idea to make these medallions to recognize people who have displayed great leadership and volunteerism.

Fry is only the third person to receive one of the medallions, which feature the Ohio State Seal on one side and the Lawrence County Seal on the other.