45°F
weather icon Clear

Firefighter receives award for work with emergency services

A Boulder City firefighter has been recognized by the Clark County Medical Society for his work coordinating the city’s emergency medical service program.

Firefighter/paramedic Walt West was recently named a 2020 Winged Heart Award recipient. This award recognizes important contributions that medical professionals make to keep the community healthy. It is given out to three people each year: a nursing professional, nonprofit health organization and first responder.

“Honestly, it’s kind of embarrassing,” West said about receiving the award. “I have never sought out personal recognition. I mean, I feel honored and humbled that others would think I am worthy of such an award. This award may be shining a light on me but honestly I am just one of a thousand first responders that go to work every day and serve in Clark County. I am proud to be a part of that every day.”

West, who attended Boulder City’s reserve fire academy in 2001, started his career nine years earlier as an EMT intermediate in Las Vegas at Mercy Ambulance. He became a paramedic six years later and was hired full time in Boulder City in 2002.

“My normal duties are to care for the sick and injured citizens, and guests and visitors of Boulder City as well as provide fire suppression (and) community risk reduction activities,” West said.

He also said he enjoys the challenge of working locally.

“We serve the largest geographic area in Nevada, 208 square miles,” said West. “Most of it is not inhabited but in a given day we could be involved in a rescue of a mountain biker at Bootleg Canyon, a high-speed motor vehicle crash on I(nterstate) 11 and helping one of our older citizens off the floor from a fall.”

In 2019, the department changed after some firefighters retired, and West said he was able to take on a new role.

“Earlier in my career I was involved in running our medical services division so I had a lot of experience with training, teaching, scheduling and recertification,” he said. “Our interim fire chief, Steve Walton, asked me if I would be willing to accept responsibility again and I jumped at the opportunity to serve my brothers and sisters.”

After Fire Chief Will Gray started with department, West said, he asked Gray if he could start an emergency medical services committee to help spread the work around and help others learn how to do it.

“We now have two people on each shift involved in the EMS division,” said West. “Each one of them investing their time and experience to make our medical providers better.”

“Walt has demonstrated a high level of dedication toward the Boulder City Fire Department and the community we serve,” Gray said. “We are proud of his accomplishments and pleased he is part of our team.”

The Winged Heart Award was established in 2013 by former Clark County Medical Society President George Alexander. Members of the community nominate the nurses, nonprofit organizations and first responders. They are then reviewed by the Clark County Medical Society’s immediate past president, current president and president-elect to arrive at an honoree in each category.

Contact reporter Celia Shortt Goodyear at cgoodyear@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9401. Follow her on Twitter @csgoodyear.

MOST READ
THE LATEST
Out of this world: A look at Fisher Space Pen

In a popular episode of “Seinfeld,” appropriately entitled “The Pen,” Jerry and Elaine travel to Florida to see his parents. There, a neighbor, Jack Klompus, shows off a pen that the astronauts used in space because of its ability to still write, even when upside-down.

City council approves 15-home Beazer tract

Without any discussion, the city council Tuesday approved a 15-home subdivision as part of a single vote on the consent agenda.

Council approves additional $140K in construction spending

As part of the consent agenda in Tuesday’s meeting, the city council agreed to add about $140,000 to the amount previously agreed to be paid to GCW, Inc. for management, engineering, design and support services for two projects in Boulder City.

UNLV intern joins BCR staff

Beginning this week, the Boulder City Review welcomes Ian Cruz to its staff as an intern for the spring semester.

Metro officer involved in shooting in Boulder City

Dozens of law enforcement officers responded Friday, Jan. 24, to the 700 block of Sixth Street following a reported shooting.

Cost estimates for Substation 3 soar by 141%

Rising costs continue to bedevil city plans for replacing and upgrading infrastructure. The latest example is related to efforts to upgrade Boulder City’s electric utility service as the cost estimates of Substation 3 soared by 141% and the scheduled completion date was pushed out by three full years.

Council forwards energy storage proposal to planning commission

A proposed energy storage facility got a second bite at the apple last week as the city council voted unanimously to forward a new application for a different and smaller plot of land for the project to the planning commission for possible addition to the city’s land use plan.

Mayor touts contributions of others in annual speech

This year’s State of the City address by Mayor Joe Hardy had a new title but continued many of the same themes of teamwork as last year, with a lot more emphasis on the recognition of others.

RR Museum construction underway

For those who have driven by or have stopped at the light at the intersection of Buchanan Boulevard and Boulder City Parkway in the last two weeks, it’s hard not to notice the fencing and construction work currently underway.