On Thursday, August 14th, 2014 the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced the 2014 Emergency Medical Services Award recipients at the opening ceremonies of the 37th annual State EMS Conference in Lancaster.

Each year, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, with the assistance of the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council recognizes individuals, groups and organizations that have made a significant contribution to Pennsylvania’s EMS System.

Firefighter/EMT John Sly has been awarded as the 2014 Basic Life Support Practitioner of the Year.

The BLS Practitioner of the Year is awarded to honor an individual Basic Life Support provider who has contributed significantly to the development and growth of Emergency Medical Services in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Firefighter/EMT Sly was awarded for his leadership in founding the Westwood Quick Response Service in 1999 followed by Westwood Fire Company Ambulance service in 2000. During his term as Westwood's Fire Chief, he also was instrumental in establishing the first Department of Health recognized Rescue Service in Chester County. In recent years he established an ambulance division out of the Wagontown Fire Company.

This award marks the second State Award bestowed upon the Westwood Fire Company. In 2005, the Westwood Fire Company Ambulance Service was honored as the Pennsylvania “Ambulance Service of the Year” for outstanding service to the community.

Firefighter/EMT John Sly has been a volunteer firefighter and EMT with the Sadsburyville Fire Company since 2007. During most of his years of volunteering at the Sadsburyville Fire Company he has been in the rank of the "top 10", meaning making a majority of our fire, rescue and EMS calls.

Congratulations to the Westwood Fire Company and to Firefighter/EMT Sly on this proud achievement.