American Medical Response (AMR) of El Paso County Named 2006 National Ambulance Service of the Year.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- American Medical Response of El Paso County became the first-ever Colorado ambulance provider to receive the national EMT-Paramedic Emergency Medical Service of the Year award by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT). The award is given annually to the one of literally thousands of EMS systems that exemplifies outstanding professionalism and service to its community. AMR received the award at NAEMT's national conference in Las Vegas on Friday, September 29.

"We're honored to be recognized by NAEMT as the national ambulance service of the year," said Ted Sayer, AMR's Director of Operations in Colorado Springs. "To be chosen out of 17,000 ambulance services nationwide says a lot for the professional paramedics, EMTs and staff we have here in Colorado Springs," he continued. Mark Bruning, divisional Vice President of Operations, added, "I am very proud of all of our Colorado Springs caregivers, support professionals and leadership team for their community focus and dedication to clinical excellence in receiving this prestigious award. As with every good EMS system, a resounding thank you must go out to all our system business partners, fire departments, first responders, hospitals, public safety agencies, community and local government, who share equally in this honor with us."

Selection criteria included community involvement, worker safety, training and reward programs, system upgrades and involvement in local and state protocols.

AMR has demonstrated its commitment to the Pikes Peak Region by supporting local events, charities and non-profit organizations, including free or reduced cost medical standby for many schools, community and non-profit events, school presentations and ambulance tours. The organization also provides EMT scholarships for college students, Sentimental Journey transportation for hospice patients at no charge, free or reduced-cost CPR classes for first responders and community members, free transportation to home for nursing home residents on holidays (Home for the Holidays program) and free car seat checks.

In 2005, AMR provided approximately $3,000,000 in uncompensated and charitable care to the residents of El Paso County. In addition, $100,000 was donated in medical standbys, monetary donations, and staff time for school and group presentations and community outreach.

AMR is the contracted 9-1-1 provider for El Paso County and has served the region for over 25 years. In addition to providing service for the City of Colorado Springs and El Paso County, AMR is also the provider for the United States Air Force Academy, Petersen Air Force Base and Schriever Air Force Base. AMR also has joint service relationships with the City of Fountain and the town of Falcon. The organization operates a fleet of 31 advanced life support and wheelchair support vehicles, equipped with advanced EKG patient heart monitoring, Global Satellite Positioning Systems (GPS), electronic patient care reporting and road safety monitoring computers.

American Medical Response Inc. (www.amr.net), America's leading provider of medical transportation, is locally operated in 36 states and the District of Columbia. More than 18,000 AMR paramedics, EMTs and other professionals transport nearly four million patients nationwide each year in critical, emergency, and non-emergency situations. Operating a fleet of approximately 4,000 vehicles, AMR is headquarted in Greenwood Village, CO.