October 6, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
DeKalb EMS employee Heather Billings is the Upper Cumberland EMS Directors Association’s Region IV “Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) of the Year”. The award was presented to Billings during the association’s annual fall symposium Tuesday, October 5 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 Billings for her skill and professionalism.
“Nearly two years ago Heather decided to come to my office in search of a job. She had just completed the Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMT) course and was in the process of attempting to achieve her National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). It just so happened I had a position on our day truck open and she accepted it. Since that time, I have come to know and respect Heather professionally and personally. She is reliable, does her job, and never complains. Heather has a genuine compassion for others and she shows it in the care she delivers to patients. In today’s world these qualities are hard to find. I am recommending Heather for this honor,” wrote Director 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.