VOLUNTEERS and staff were honoured at the West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) annual award ceremonies.
Almost 700 guests attended the Staff Long Service and Excellence Awards and Excellence in the Community Awards earlier this month.
Guests included the Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Richard Boot, and the High Sheriff of the County of the West Midlands, Mark Smith.
This year, 77 members of staff were recognised for having given 20 years of service to WMAS, 11 staff were commended for 25 years’ service, nine received certificates for 30 years’ service, six members of staff were honoured for 35 years in the Trust, two celebrated the landmark of 40 years of service whilst one member of staff was rewarded for an incredible 45 years.
Other awards to be handed out included Chief Officer Commendations, Student Paramedic of the Year, Mentor Awards, Apprenticeship Awards, Community Initiative and Partnership Awards, CFR Long Service Awards and the CFR of the Year.
Trust chief executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “Our awards ceremonies are an opportunity for us all to say a big thank you for all that our staff and volunteers do every single day when treating patients, protecting the public and saving as many lives as possible.
“I am inspired by the continued professionalism everyone shows to keep doing the right thing and also by some of the incredible stories we hear at our awards ceremonies, where staff members, volunteers and members of the public have gone above and beyond to help people who are often in the worst moment of their lives, thank you to you all.”
Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Richard Boot, said: “It was a delight to be invited to the awards as when you hear what people have done to win accolades and the work that is done every day, it really is heartening and humbling.
“There are not many organisations that match the scale of West Midlands Ambulance Service, it really is an incredible operation. However, I get the sense it is more than that as well, it feels like a family. The number of people who picked up long service awards shows how special the organisation is as people don’t hang around for that long if they don’t feel supported and valued.”
High Sheriff of the County of the West Midlands, Mr Mark Smith, said: “I am very grateful to have been invited to the awards and being present had a very special meaning for me, given in September 2020 I suffered a cardiac arrest.
“I fully believe that the two paramedics who transported me to hospital are the reason I am still here today.
“We have heard some fantastic stories and I personally thank all of the staff and volunteers for everything you do.
“In my role as High Sheriff I meet many Chief Executives who say their organisation is the best, but in this case I absolutely agree that West Midlands Ambulance Service is the best in the country.”
WMAS chair, Prof Ian Cumming, said: “It is a privilege to be able to honour the exceptional achievement of our own staff, volunteers and members of the public who have done some truly remarkable things.
“For those who work in the blue light services, showing bravery, compassion and courage is part of the job, but those who volunteer to put yourself in similar situations, I think is truly remarkable.”
“Our volunteers are often the difference between despair and hope, between fear and comfort, between life and death. I know you don’t do it for applause or reward, but because it is the right thing to do, and for that I thank you all.”
The Trust’s awards were sponsored by University of Wolverhampton, Birmingham City University and the University of Worcester.
