Several members of the White Lake Ambulance Authority received awards at the May 20 Muskegon County Medical Control Authority banquet, including WLAA Director Jon Degen's receving the Distinguished EMS Cross, the highest award bestowed in the profession.
"His influence reaches far beyond our organization and continues to strengthen emergency medical services throughout our region," read the WLAA's Facebook post regarding Degen's award.
Degen's award, according to his certificate, was given "for extraordinary and sustained years of dedication to emergency medical services." The award, which is not necessarily presented annually, is given to someone "whose sustained contributions have fundmentally influenced the practice, structure, education, or advancement of EMS at a system-wide or profession-wide level."
Also receiving awards were Drake Roesler, who was named Firefighter of the Year; Ken Byrne, who received a Community Service Medal; and Sara Morrall and Dwight Roesler, who received Stork Awards for aiding in delivery of newborns outside of a hospital setting.
