Capt. Deanna Chapman
Captain Deanna Chapman of Lake-Sumter Emergency Medical Services has been named Florida’s 2010 EMS Injury Prevention Award honoree by the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Chapman is the charter recipient of this new prestigious award which is designed to recognize the outstanding efforts of men and women who serve their communities through injury prevention and other EMS education activities, as well as saving lives on the front lines of Florida’s healthcare system.
Captain Chapman has a long track record in the arena of Injury Prevention, as part of her role as Community Resource Officer. Since its inception, Captain Deanna Chapman has been the guiding force behind K.I.S.S.—Kids in Safety Seats as she sought grant funds, formed the K.I.S.S. team, planned strategies to be used, and implemented an outstanding program. Funded through a federal grant administered by the Florida Department of Transportation beginning in 2007, K.I.S.S. is the first unified Child Safety Seat Program in Lake and Sumter Counties. This collaborative effort combines the forces of staff from Lake-Sumter EMS and area public safety entities. K.I.S.S. is strongly committed to educating the public on the proper use of child safety seats, and as a result, reducing fatalities and serious injuries to infants and children.
Captain Chapman also serves on several committees dedicated to Injury Prevention, including the State of Florida PEIR Committee where she has been actively involved in projects such as production and distribution of an Injury Prevention CD and coordinating a Senior Falls Prevention Seminar. Chapman is also a dedicated member of the Lake County Elder Affairs Council, the New Vision for Independence Committee and the recently formed Safe Kids Lake Sumter Coalition.
Jim Judge, Executive Director at Lake-Sumter EMS, commented, “Over the years, Deanna has proven her commitment to improving the safety of all members of our community—from the very young to senior citizens. She is dedicated to Injury Prevention and it shows in the work she does at the local, county, and state levels. We’re proud to have her on our team.”
The State EMS Injury Prevention Award for 2010 will be presented to Captain Deanna Chapman as part of the 20th Annual Excellence in EMS Awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m., June 29, 2010 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando. The ceremony will also recognize outstanding individuals including the EMT, Paramedic and EMS Nurse of the Year. For more information on the State EMS awards program and ceremony, please contact Desi Lassiter, Florida Bureau of EMS at 850-245-4055.
Lake-Sumter Emergency Medical Services, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization formed in 2000 by Lake and Sumter Counties to provide quality, community-based EMS services. The agency operates 28 Advanced Life Support units from stations located throughout both Lake and Sumter counties. The company is governed by a Board of Directors headed by Chairman Welton G. Cadwell. Jim Judge serves as Executive Director with administrative offices located at 2761 W. Old Highway 441 in Mount Dora, Florida. The public can contact Mr. Judge at 352-383-4554 or 352-516-1532.
