Honorees

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Year Honored
2008
Honoree
Richard H Powers
Agency
Beauport Ambulance Service
Agency City
Gloucester
Agency State
MA
Last Call
7/30/07
Cause of Death
On-duty Cardiac
Biography
Richard spent his entire life helping others. The EMS community has lost one of its best. At age 13, his dad died unexpectedly from a heart attack. From that moment Rich knew what he wanted to do with his life. He was going to devote his life to helping people so other kids wouldn't have to go through the loss he suffered. He became an EMT at 18 and within a few years became a paramedic. He was one of the first paramedics in Massachusetts and quickly became what many considered one of the best in the state. People who knew Rich said "if anyone in my family ever gets sick, I hope you are on the ambulance that responds." He became known as "king of nasal intubation." He taught many new EMTs and paramedics skills and lessons that they continue to pass on in the field today.<br /> <br /> Richard H. Powers, 45, died of cardiac arrest on July 30, 2007. After returning to quarters following a call, he was on the phone with his fianc? when he stopped talking. She called the base and the dispatcher went into the bunk room where they found him on the floor in full cardiac arrest. All resuscitative efforts were made but failed. Rich was pronounced dead at Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester, Massachusetts. He had been employed by Beauport Ambulance in Gloucester and in EMS since 1978.<br /> <br /> He is survived by his daughter, Samantha, fianc? Liz, mother Ruth, brother William, sister Lee Ann and numerous nieces and nephews. He is missed more than words can express.<br /> <br /> Honored 2008