Jamie Vernon of DeKalb EMS Receives “Paramedic of Year Award”

October 21, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

An EMT Critical Care Paramedic employed by the DeKalb County Ambulance Service (EMS) has earned a prestigious honor.

Jamie Vernon is the Upper Cumberland EMS Directors Association’s Region IV “Paramedic of the Year”. The award was presented to Vernon during the association’s annual fall symposium October 11 in Cookeville.

She was nominated by DeKalb EMS Director Hoyte Hale.

Nominees for the honor must be a current Tennessee licensed emergency medical technician or paramedic employed by or who volunteers for a Region IV ground or air service and they must exhibit professional qualities expected in this venue. Their contributions should go above and beyond whether it be in their clinical skill set or in actions that have affected the community or someone in a positive way.

In nominating her, EMS Director Hale praised Vernon for her skill and professionalism.

“Despite being a relatively young paramedic with only 5 years of service, I am proud to say that she is dedicated to delivering outstanding service in DeKalb County. She provides excellent care, exemplifying qualities that not only make her a wonderful employee but also a valuable clinician and pre-hospital provider”.

“Ms Vernon goes above and beyond the call of duty expected of her and leads by example. She is constantly striving to better her education and service to the community. For example, she voluntarily trained to become a death investigator and earlier this year completed critical care school. She is now a licensed clinician and critical care paramedic. Jamie is always punctual and readily available to work extra hours if needed. She is an outstanding role model and mentor for new employees and always makes them feel welcome. She has a wonderful attitude, ethic, and optimism which makes her a great leader ,” said Hale.

The Upper Cumberland EMS Directors Association consists of the directors from the primary 911 ground ambulance services and base managers of the air medical companies in the 14 county Upper Cumberland region.

Tennessee EMS Region IV comprises Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Van Buren, Warren, and White County. Air Evac, LifeForce, and Lifeflight represent the 3 air medical services in the region.

October 21, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

An EMT-Critical Care Paramedic who worked for the White County Ambulance Service and served in a part time role for DeKalb and Warren County  EMS until his recent death has been honored posthumously with a Life Time Achievement Award.

The Region IV award was presented to the family of Jeff Cole during the Upper Cumberland EMS Directors Association’s annual fall symposium October 11 in Cookeville.

DeKalb EMS Director Hoyte Hale nominated Cole for the honor.

“There is without a doubt no better or more deserving man to represent what this award means. Jeff put his heart and soul into his long standing career and constantly pushed himself to go further and inspired others to do the same. Mr. Cole was the kind of man who touched everyone with whom he came in contact and we were blessed to have known him. He was always there to lend a helping hand and put others first. He deserves the honor and recognition of this award for his 41 years of service to Region IV and almost every county in it,” said Hale.

The Upper Cumberland EMS Directors Association consists of the directors from the primary 911 ground ambulance services and base managers of the air medical companies in the 14 county Upper Cumberland region.

Tennessee EMS Region IV comprises Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Van Buren, Warren, and White County. Air Evac, LifeForce, and Lifeflight represent the 3 air medical services in the region.

October 21, 2019
By:

The Upper Cumberland’s public transportation system known as UCARTS is getting a new name and exterior design. Riders can expect to see the newly rebranded buses, now known as Ride Upper Cumberland, on the road in DeKalb County.

Ride Upper Cumberland, formerly known as UCARTS, is a division of the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency’s (UCHRA) public transit system which offers door-to-door transportation service for any individual in all 14 counties of the Upper Cumberland. This service is available Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. Interested riders must schedule trips 24 hours in advance. Local trips are $1 each way and $1 for each additional stop. Fares outside of the designated local area are based on miles traveled and are charged accordingly.

Though the look of the buses has changed, the service including ride fares will remain the same.

“Even though we’ve changed the look and name of UCARTS, riders can rely on the same affordable, safe and dependable service that our transit system has always provided,” Rebecca Harris, UCHRA Deputy Director/ Director of Transportation said. “Ride Upper Cumberland services are available to all citizens in the Upper Cumberland, young, old, and disabled. Anyone can ride the bus.”

UCHRA has already begun placing the rebranded buses on the road, with more buses being transitioned into use over the coming weeks.

The rebranding of Ride Upper Cumberland and other divisions of UCHRA’s transportation fleet follows the agency’s rebranding effort. UCHRA recently changed its logo and will be releasing newly branded marketing materials soon.

The Ride Upper Cumberland transportation service is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

For more information on Ride Upper Cumberland please call your local UCHRA office.

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 About Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency

The Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency (UCHRA) was established by the Tennessee General Assembly in 1973 to be the delivery system for human resources in the fourteen counties of the region. The programs operated by UCHRA initially included job training and transportation. During ensuing years, the UCHRA has expanded to supply a wide range of services that use a combination of funds from federal, state and local organizations.

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