Cook County Emergency Services Conference -- training and honoring local responders

On April 28 – 29, Cook County held its annual Emergency Services Conference. Members of local and regional emergency services – police, firefighters, First Responders, EMTs, doctors, nurses, public health officials – gather for training and to get to know one another better. 

Each year before the Emergency Services Conference, the community is invited to nominate someone in the emergency services field who deserves recognition. There are actually two awards, the Dolly Johnson Friend of Emergency Services Award and the Outstanding Emergency Services Provider Award.
 
The Dolly Johnson Friend of Emergency Services Award, named after the late Dolly Johnson, a feisty and beloved law enforcement dispatcher, goes to a civilian who has aided Cook County emergency services in some way. 
 
The 2017 Dolly Johnson Award was given to Ben Petz of Hovland. Petz volunteered for the Hovland Fire Department and upon his retirement as firefighter, he continued volunteering as a board member until January 2017.
 
Petz was also recognized for his work with the Cook County Firewise program and other organizations.
 
The entire Hovland Fire Department nominated Petz for the Friend of Emergency Services Award.
 
The Outstanding Emergency Services Provider Award recognizes an individual who has provided outstanding, notable service in the past year or throughout his or her career.
 
The honoree this year, Paramedic Sheila Costello, was nominated by three separate individuals. All three lauded Costello for her professional and calm demeanor, especially during a recent stint as the lone paramedic for North Shore Health.
 
Those who nominated her also commended her for recently assisting the Lutsen Ski Patrol. Costello was skiing on her day off, but heard the call for help and responded to a lengthy and difficult medical call.
 
Typical behavior, said the colleagues who nominated her, who said Costello is a “true blessing to have on the ambulance crew.”
 
From the conference
Emergency responders from throughout the county and around the region gathered for training. Rhonda Silence learns more about the event in this feature. 

Photo by Rhonda Silence