Clinton County Commissioners Honor Vital Role of Emergency Medical Service Providers During National EMS Week

Publisher3 hours agoLast Updated: May 22, 2025

2 minutes read

By Emily Wright

LOCK HAVEN— At the Clinton County Board of Commissioners meeting on May 22, 2025, a proclamation was read to recognize Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week and honor local emergency responders for their service from May 18 to May 24, 2025.

National Emergency Medical Services Week is an annual event that honors emergency medical responders for their dedication to providing lifesaving care on the front lines every day. This year’s theme, “We care. For everyone,” serves as a reminder of the compassion and commitment that are at the heart of providing emergency medical services.

The proclamation read by the commissioners in recognition of EMS Week highlighted the essential role of EMS as a vital public service that delivers lifesaving care around the clock, 365 days each year. It emphasized that EMS professionals are part of a comprehensive healthcare team, which includes emergency medical responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, nurses, dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, pre-hospital registered nurses, administrators, and several other essential medical providers. Through this proclamation, the Clinton County Board of Commissioners officially recognized and celebrated the crucial contributions of local EMS agencies and personnel.

Chief Kim Shainline of the Goodwill Hose Company in Flemington briefly spoke at the meeting, acknowledging local EMS providers and expressing gratitude for the board’s recognition of EMS Week.

Kim Shainline, Chief of the Goodwill Hose Company in Flemington, attended the meeting with several other local emergency responders. She expressed her gratitude for the county’s recognition of EMS professionals and acknowledged the dedicated work of other EMS providers throughout Clinton County.

“We are thankful for the recognition from the county and also nationwide. This is a nationwide week for emergency services where we celebrate all of our professionals, volunteered and paid,” she said.

Shainline highlighted that Clinton County is served by 16 EMS units, including three advanced life support companies, three basic life support units—Kettle Creek Ambulance Association, Beech Creek- Blanchard Volunteer Fire Company, and Bucktail Medical Center—and 10 quick response services connected to volunteer fire companies throughout the county.

“We just want to say thank you for your recognition and thank you to all of our providers in the county that serve our communities,” Shainline said in closing.

Clinton County Commissioners (left to right) Angela Harding, Jim Russo, Jeff Snyder, and Chief Clerk Desiree Myers during the meeting on Thursday, May 22, 2025.

The Record reached out to Lock Haven EMS Chief Gerard Banfill for his thoughts during EMS Week 2025. With over 40 years of experience leading his department, Banfill oversees an agency with a primary service area that covers Lock Haven, Grugan Township, Castanea Township, Woodward Township, Dunnstable Township, McElhattan, Pine Creek Township, Gallagher Township, Cummings Township, and Allison Township, as well as Colebrook Township. Lock Haven EMS also provides mutual aid to neighboring counties upon request.

Currently, Chief Banfill oversees a team of 28 dedicated staff members. He expressed his deep appreciation for the commitment of his staff, who regularly sacrifice time with their families to provide emergency medical care to the community and surrounding areas.

“It’s our staff that takes an exorbitant amount of time away from their families to come and provide service to the community,” he said. Acknowledging their hard work and dedication, Banfill added, “Keep up the good work!”