Shelly Giddings-Laing Named Member of the Quarter for the AACVFA
 
By Member John Long, Jr.
January 11, 2024
 

Shelly joined OVFC in July 2020 with the goal of becoming an EMS provider. Unfortunately, with the restrictions on training due to the Covid-19 pandemic, she couldn’t take the Emergency Medical Technician – Basic Course until 2022. She completed EMT in August 2022 and was fully cleared to respond as an Ambulance Technician in October 2022.

Our station is required by County response policies to staff our ambulance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. On weekday evenings (1524 to 0700 hours) and on weekends, this obligation falls primarily on our volunteer members since we have limited career staffing. Shelly has stepped up to be one of our top ambulance responders to ensure that we provide this vital service. She is the regular ambulance aide on Thursday evenings, consistently arriving early to relieve the career staff from the ambulance. She willingly comes in at other times to cover vacancies. Through November 30 of this year, Shelly has worked 66 shifts totaling 742 hours, and responded on 206 ambulance calls. She demonstrates excellent EMT skills and compassionate patient care. She prepares thorough Patient Care Reports and ensures that the ambulance is properly maintained. Her next step will be an ambulance driver.

We are very fortunate to have enthusiastic volunteer members like Shelly to provide essential services to the community