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NEWS RELEASE

February 15, 2008

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Howard County EMS Provider Wins National Veterans of Foreign Wars Award

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Ken Ulman announced that Battalion Chief Charles “Chuck” T. King, Jr., of the Department of Fire & Rescue Services was recently selected to receive the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) “National Gold Medal Award for Emergency Medical Technicians.” The award recognizes one EMT from fire departments nationwide for their skill, ability, integrity, compassion and service to the public.

“This is a great honor for Chuck and for Howard County,” said Ulman. “I want to thank Chuck for his dedicated service to our community and also thank the VFW for acknowledging his efforts with this national award.”

Battalion Chief King is a U.S. Army veteran. He began his career with Howard County’s Department of Fire & Rescue Services as a firefighter in 1987. Chuck King was the recipient of four "Gift of Life" awards, presented by the Department to an individual who successfully revives a victim who has stopped breathing, has no heartbeat, yet following treatment, transport and hospitalization, leaves the hospital a complete survivor.

Battalion Chief King was also the recipient of his Department’s “Meritorious Service Award” in 2005. In July 2007, he received the American Legion’s “Department of Maryland Career EMS Award” presented annual to an EMS provider who performs “above and beyond the call of duty” in terms of heroism, training, experience and volunteer service to the community.

Fire Chief Joseph Herr said, “Chuck is an outstanding firefighter/paramedic, and this recognition is certainly well-deserved. I am pleased to have him represent this Department and all of the other dedicated public safety professionals who serve Howard County.”

“I come from a military family and have a military background myself. I chose a career in public safety because I wanted to continue serving my community and my country,” said Battalion Chief King. “Each and every day, I do my job to the best of my ability; and like most public safety professionals, give no thought to any praise I might receive. That being said, it certainly feels good to be recognized for a job well done, especially when that praise comes on a national level and from a group of veterans. I want to thank the VFW for recognizing the important work of emergency medical service providers and for selecting me for this honor. It means a great deal to me and to my family.”