McGorty, Hoydick and Gresko Honor Stratford EMS Professionals


Photo: L-R: Rep. Laura Hoydick, Erin Smith of Stratford EMS, Rep. Ben McGorty and Rep. Joe Gresko.
National EMS Week began this week around the country and on Monday at a ceremony held in the State Capitol, State Representatives Ben McGorty (R-122), Laura Hoydick (R-120) and Joe Gresko (D-121) took part in honoring the dedicated EMS personnel across the state, including two remarkable recipients from Stratford.
Erin Smith of Stratford EMS received the Distinguished Achievement Award, and Helen “Bunnie” McQuilton of Stratford EMS, who could not attend today’s ceremony, was awarded the Gillooly-Lawton Award.
“Congratulations go out to Erin and Bunnie for being recognized today for the contributions they have made toward establishing Stratford EMS as one of the finest in the state,” said Rep. McGorty, who has 37 years of experience in fire service including 25 in the Shelton Fire Department. “They truly exemplify the spirit and heart of this great department.”
“This day is an opportunity to honor the important work done by our EMS professionals, and it is a pleasure to be here today to recognize the achievements of Erin Smith and Bunnie McQuilton in particular,” said Rep. Hoydick. “Both of these EMS professionals represent the high level of performance and dedication that is daily exemplified by Stratford EMS, and I congratulate them for this recognition which is so well-deserved.”
“Recognizing Erin and Bunnie for their commitment to Stratford was an honor,” said Rep. Gresko. “Their work is inspirational for future EMS heroes.”
Representatives McGorty, Hoydick and Gresko presented legislative citations for both recipients giving official recognition from the Connecticut General Assembly.
National EMS Week was first authorized by President Gerald Ford in 1974 in order to recognize the essential contributions of the then-new profession, which has come to be a cornerstone of emergency medicine and public health, providing basic and advanced care to patients in the critical first moments of medical emergency.