Local EMS professionals recognized for outstanding achievements and service
Jeffrey Shultz. Courtesy photo.
VENTURA COUNTY — Two American Medical Response (AMR) team members in the Ventura County region have been honored with EMS Awards from the California Emergency Medical Services Authority. At the virtual awards ceremony on July 1, 2021, Charles Drehsen, AMR’s medical director, was recognized with the Distinguished Service Medal, and Jeffrey Shultz, AMR’s administrative paramedic supervisor, received the Meritorious Service Medal.
Charles Drehsen. Courtesy photo.
The California EMS Awards are presented each year to honor special accomplishments, significant contributions, meritorious and heroic acts, innovations, or fresh ideas to improve EMS in the state. Drehsen and Schultz, both based in Moorpark, are among 38 individuals from throughout California who earned recognition for their outstanding efforts this year.
The Distinguished Service Medal recognizes an individual for distinguished service or achievement affecting statewide EMS over an extended period of time. Drehsen was honored for decades of professional service and numerous contributions to the EMS industry. He was instrumental in the success of several innovations in the EMS industry, including the development of two community paramedicine programs in Ventura and the development of a new cardiac arrest management system that resulted in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties having some of the best cardiac arrest survival rates in the nation.
The Meritorious Service Medal recognizes an individual for a meritorious act or service, or an act that is above and beyond the call of duty in the course of a particular EMS emergency or event. Schultz was recognized for more than 18 years of leadership within the EMS community and his guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has been an integral part of the AMR leadership team through significant, historic events such as the Thomas Fire, Borderline Shooting, Woolsey Fire, Hill Fire and many more. During the pandemic, he implemented a plan to provide staffing for County of Ventura COVID-19 testing sites and hired and trained dozens of EMTs who facilitated hundreds of thousands of tests. He also tracked and managed the PPE supply for Ventura County, ensuring the community had sufficient supplies at all times.
“The positive impact Charles and Jeffrey have made on this community is immeasurable, and we are honored to see their efforts recognized,” said Jeremey Shumaker, Regional Director for AMR parent company, Global Medical Response. “These two men truly embody the values we live by at AMR, and we are thankful for their many years of dedicated service and their commitment to protecting the health and well-being of the county we are proud to call home.”
About American Medical Response (AMR) — American Medical Response, Inc., America’s leading provider of medical transportation, provides services in 40 states and the District of Columbia. More than 28,000 AMR paramedics, EMTs, RNs and other professionals work together to transport more than 4.8 million patients nationwide each year in critical, emergency and non-emergency situations. AMR also provides fire services through Rural Metro Fire Department, www.ruralmetrofire.com. For more information about AMR, visit www.amr.net and follow American Medical Response on Facebook @AMR_Social on Twitter and Instagram.
AMR is part of the Global Medical Response family of companies. Global Medical Response, Inc. is the industry-leading air, ground, specialty and residential fire services, and managed medical transportation organization. With more than 38,000 employees, GMR delivers compassionate, quality medical care, primarily in the areas of emergency and patient relocation services in the United States and around the world. For more information, visit www.globalmedicalresponse.com.