For Immediate Release

Monday, Jan. 28, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Attleboro Firefighter Richard Whitney Named Paramedic of the Year by Local EMS Council

ATTLEBORO — Chief Scott T. Lachance is pleased to announce that Attleboro Firefighter/Paramedic Richard Whitney was named Paramedic of the Year by Bristol North EMS at an awards ceremony last week.

Bristol North EMS held their second annual awards conference at Plainridge Casino in Plainville on Wednesday, Jan. 23. Firefighter Whitney was honored with the Captain Jack White Paramedic of the Year award for his exceptional service and care provided to the residents of northern Bristol County.

“Rich’s calm demeanor,and proven skills and experience have been a valuable asset to our department and we congratulate him on this prestigious recognition by Bristol North EMS,” Deputy Chief Tim Birch said. “With over 10 years of experience in EMS, Rich is currently mentoring the newer paramedics and any students that cross his path that are eager to learn. His positive attitude and dedication to quality patient care are the ideal qualities we look for in a paramedic.”

One example of Firefighter Whitney’s consistent and excellent work happened in October of 2016 when he responded to a motorcycle crash where a 63-year-old man was seriously injured. Upon arrival, Firefighter Whitney quickly determined that the patient was suffering from a collapsed lung, in addition to having multiple fractures.

While en route to the hospital, Firefighter Whitney continued to provide medical care to the patient, including performing a thoracostomy, which involves using a needle to insert a thin plastic tube into the space between the lungs and the chest wall, to help with the patient’s breathing.

Firefighter Whitney’s actions likely helped to save the man’s life.

He has been with the department since 2015.

About Bristol North EMS

Bristol North EMS is an EMS council made up of local fire departments and public and private ambulance services in partnership with three hospitals in northern Bristol County – Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton and Morton Hospital in Taunton. The group offers training sessions and instructors for EMS professionals in the region.

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