Commitment to Excellence

   --Jenifer Goodwin

   This article is reprinted from the newsletter Best Practices in Emergency Services. For the complete interview, go to www.emergencybestpractices.com.

NAEMT 2010 EMT of the Year: Mark E. Wintle

   The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) announces that Mark E. Wintle, of Morris Township, NJ, has won the 2010 NAEMT EMT of the Year Award, sponsored by Braun Industries. The award was presented to Wintle on September 28 at the NAEMT General Membership Meeting and Awards presentation, held in conjunction with EMS EXPO 2010 in Dallas, TX.

   The NAEMT EMT of the Year Award recognizes an emergency medical technician who demonstrates excellence in the performance of emergency medical services. NAEMT award winners receive a $1,000 award stipend, plus free travel, lodging for three nights and registration for EMS EXPO 2010.

A True Leader

   Wintle, an EMT-Basic and Captain with Morris Minute Men Emergency Medical Services, was nominated by colleague Tiffany Willshaw. Wintle joined Morris Minute Men EMS in 2003 and since then has become one of the pillars of the organization, says Willshaw.

   "Mark is the kind of person who would give you his shirt off his back. He is often the first person to respond to a request for shift coverage, the first to sign up for standbys, the first and last person at a meeting, and the first person to tell you that EMS isn't just about running ambulance calls. Mark is a true leader who strives to help his community and his state by making his squad become the best they can be by being the best he can be."

   Wintle is one of the most active members of the organization, serving on numerous committees. He was promoted to Captain in January after serving as assistant captain. He has been proactive in improving the way Minute Men EMS recruits members through membership drives, banner creation and even publishing a Morris Minute Men comic book.

   "He is frequently the first point of contact for prospective members and has played a part in most members' decision to join," says Willshaw.

   He also has been a proponent for disaster preparedness by incorporating the Incident Command System into activities and planning, and was involved with the group's transition to electronic charting this year, learning and personalizing the system and training others. He was a driving force behind Minute Men EMS's successful bid to meet and exceed all OSHA safety, training and equipment requirements to ensure worker safety.

   Due to Wintle's leadership, his team was chosen as the New Jersey EMS Strike Team Leader for Morris County, was nominated for outstanding EMS organization by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Office of Emergency Medical Services, and was voted Best Morris County EMS Organization by The Daily Record newspaper.

   "Mark is incredibly proactive in reaching out to ensure our members are dealing with the stresses of our field appropriately, are completing all required trainings and certifications, and are giving the best patient care possible," Willshaw states. "He is constantly interacting with members of the organization to ensure a positive work environment. To say Mark is loved and respected by his peers is a gross understatement."

Providing the Best Patient Care

   In addition to his administrative work, Wintle runs a 15-hour shift every week and an additional 24-hour shift every six weeks.

   "With all of the responsibilities Mark carries and hours he logs, it is incredible to see how much he cares about each patient," Willshaw says. "Mark reassures scared patients and families, trying to find the best way to treat and transport them while optimizing their comfort and privacy. He realizes that this call may be one of the worst moments of a person's life, and he does his best to help them deal with the onslaught of people around them, the noise and confusion of lights and sirens, and the potentially scary experience of an ambulance and ER."