05/22/2026
Today, as part of EMS Week 2026, we recognize EMS Recognition Day.
EMS is a profession built on dedication, sacrifice, teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to serving others. Every day, EMS professionals walk into unpredictable situations and are expected to make critical decisions, provide compassionate care, and remain calm during moments that are often chaotic and emotionally difficult. It is a profession that demands skill, resilience, and heart.
Today, we proudly recognize and thank the members of Gaston County EMS. To our EMTs, paramedics, field training officers, supervisors, special operations personnel, logistics personnel, administrative professionals, community paramedics, peer support specialists, recovery transporters, administrative leadership, and every individual who helps keep this organization moving forward, thank you. Thank you for the long hours, the missed holidays, the continued training, the sacrifices made at home, and the compassion you continue to show our patients and one another each day.
The public often sees us during emergencies, but they do not always see the preparation, teamwork, emotional weight, and dedication that comes with this profession. They do not always see the difficult calls that stay with providers long after the shift ends, the time spent mentoring new employees, the extra effort given to comfort scared patients and families, or the countless hours spent training to ensure we are prepared for whatever comes next. Those things matter, and they do not go unnoticed.
We also want to recognize EMS professionals everywhere who continue to answer the call to serve their communities each day. We are proud to stand alongside so many dedicated providers who continue to make a difference in the lives of others through this profession.
Today, we are also proud to recognize several recent accomplishments achieved by members of the Gaston County EMS team.
Please join us in congratulating Captain Brent Hager, Captain Kelly Marlowe, and Lieutenant Melissa Levitsky for being named to Western Carolina University’s Chancellor’s List for the Spring 2026 semester.
We also congratulate Community Paramedic Jennifer Sutley on graduating from Atrium Health Cabarrus College of Health Sciences with her Bachelor of Science in Community Paramedicine. This accomplishment reflects her dedication to continued education and her commitment to serving the community through progressive and innovative patient care.
We also congratulate Captain Dawn Lackey on successfully completing the NC EMS Officer II series.
Congratulations to Paramedics Victoria Garner and Ed Carson for assisting with the delivery of a healthy baby boy this week. Moments like these serve as a reminder of the unique and rewarding experiences EMS professionals encounter while serving the community.
This week, GEMS Orientation Class 26-03 successfully completed orientation and proudly took the EMS Oath. We are excited to welcome this outstanding group of EMTs and Paramedics as they move into the next phase of their training. Each of these new providers has demonstrated professionalism, dedication, and a strong commitment to serving the residents of Gaston County. They are now ready to begin applying their skills in the field as they continue their development within our organization.
We are proud of each of you and look forward to watching your growth and success within Gaston County EMS.
