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Virginia
Local EMS provider receives 2024 Governor of Virginia’s Award for Outstanding EMS Prehospital Educator
PULASKI COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) – Years of dedication, thousands of hours of service and countless students taught… The hard work paid off as an EMS provider serving our hometowns was awarded the 2024 Governor of Virginia’s Award for Outstanding EMS Prehospital Educator.
“I really didn’t believe it when they told me I won,” said Michael Garnett.
Michael Garnett has worked in EMS for 35 years in the Roanoke and New River Valleys with 22 years as an EMS educator.
“The education is being able to derive our providers the competence and confidence that they need to adequately work with patients,” explained Garnett.
The award recognizes Garnett as an educator who “exemplifies outstanding teaching and leadership qualities” and “consistently demonstrates excellence and a dedication to the education of prehospital EMS providers.” He was invited to a ceremony in the Governor’s Mansion in Richmond where Governor Glenn Youngkin gave him the award.
“It was really an honor because I never expected to be in the Governor’s Mansion and I never expected to actually win the award itself. But I have to say that it was definitely a lifetime event,” said Garnett.
Garnett’s colleagues say only 2% of EMS have an educator status.
“It’s a very small number of people putting in the time and effort and have the dedication to even become an educator, and to reach the level of excellence that Mike has done” said Nathaniel Davis, the Administrative Captain for Pulaski County Public Safety.
And the county is honored to celebrate on of their own. Johnathan Sweet, the County Administrator for Pulaski County, said “it’s just it’s confirmation that some of the best and the brightest come from Southwestern Virginia. So appropriate that some of the best and the brightest are preparing future best and brightest.”
Garnett looks forward to continuing his work in the industry.
“It actually gives me incentive to keep going forward and to be able to keep doing what I’m doing,” he said. “Just being able to keep going forward with the progression of EMS education and adding my little bit of a footprint to what these providers learn and what they’re able to do.”
Copyright 2024 WDBJ. All rights reserved.
BLACKSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – First responders never stop training, and this week almost 500 from across Virginia are honing their skills in Blacksburg.
The Virginia Association of First Responders now includes EMTs, firefighters, police officers and many others who answer the call in an emergency.
Thursday, a farm accident and a collision involving a car and school bus were just two of the scenarios they encountered.
“It’s a week-long opportunity, not only for technical stuff like this, but for medical classes,” said Covington Volunteer Rescue Squad member Greg Burton. “People call 911 every day for something. And we’re just here to help ease the problem a little bit.”
The annual conference also includes a Rescue Camp for young people with an interest in emergency services.
43 campers are taking part in a variety of activities, including a session on scuba diving Thursday afternoon.
Copyright 2026 WDBJ. All rights reserved.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A brush fire in a wooded area on Criollo Drive Wednesday afternoon was set by children playing with fire, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.
Units with Virginia Beach Fire and Virginia Beach Police were dispatched to the 3700 block of Criollo Drive in reference to a report of a possible fire in a wooded area at approximately 5 p.m.
Upon arrival, crews saw light smoke coming from a wooded area. They quickly had the brush fire under control at 6:05 p.m. and marked out at 6:37 p.m.
There were no injuries reported to civilians, firefighters or pets.
A VBFD Fire Investigator determined that the fire was set by kids playing with fire.
There are no charges being filed currently.
For Navy Vice-Admiral Douglas Perry, you could say all roads, or waterways, lead to Hampton Roads.
“It is more than full circle,” said Perry, who noted he went to the first Harborfest downtown in 1976.
And when he saw those tall ships led by Coast Guard Cutter Barque Eagle, “I was sold. I wanted to go to sea. I wanted to be a naval officer.”
Link: https://www.wavy.com/living-local/50th-harborfest-weekend-more-than-full-circle-for-navy-vice-admiral/
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