Honorees

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Year Honored
2012
Honoree
Carmen I. Burnette
Title
Paramedic
Agency
Putnam County EMS
Agency City
Cookeville
Agency State
TN
Last Call
2/15/11
Cause of Death
Other Trauma
Biography
"Pay it Forward" was her mantra. It was the driving force behind everything she did, and her desire to do so resonates in her community still today. Carmen entered EMS in 1998 as an EMT and quickly gained the respect of her coworkers and community. She went on to earn her paramedic license in 2000 and continued to flourish in her role as a first responder. In 2002, Carmen was able to combine her passion for the work she did with her natural gifted abilities as an educator by volunteering as a field-training officer with Putnam County. She instructed in many programs including continuing medical education, orientation for new employees, and field training and mentoring new hires. Her true passion however was teaching CPR and the use of AEDs to high school students and lay persons. By 2004, she became the coordinator for the Putnam County CPR program, teaching literally thousands of people in the lifesaving techniques. Throughout her career the synergy of her lifesaving skills and passion for the work she did fostered many good outcomes, including at least 5 successful resuscitations of cardiac arrest patients including one patient that was able to attend one of her award ceremonies. She received 5 lifesaving awards and was recognized by the Tennessee State of Homeland Security. On January 6, 2011, Paramedic Burnette and her partner were assigned to tend to a critically ill patient. When the crew arrived, they found a patient much larger than the crew could handle on their own; thus, they asked for assistance. While moving the patient, Paramedic Burnette sustained a back injury. However, realizing the patient was in dire straits she continued on with care. In the days and weeks following her injury it was determined that the injury was quite debilitating and required surgery to repair. On the morning of February 15, Carmen received a call from her doctor informing her that an earlier than scheduled time was available for her required procedures. While in surgery, a blood vessel was cut causing internal bleeding. Doctors were unable to control the bleeding, and Carmen bled to death; she was 38 years old. She dedicated her professional life to caring for other people. This was evident every time she responded to a call or taught a class. On July 26, 2001 CPR saved a 3-year-old boy. The patient's 16-year-old brother was able to save him because of the training he received from Carmen. In September of 2011 the Tennessee State Department of Homeland Security posthumously recognized her for accomplishments as the coordinator of the Putnam County CPR/AED program. <br /> <br /> Honored 2012