Brad Simmons (holding award) and members of LIFE FORCE at the Community Awards program during the Air Medical Transport Conference in Fort Worth, Texas.
National EMS Pilots Association (NEMSPA) named Brad Simmons 2017 EMS Pilot of the Year. Mr. Simmons is currently LIFE FORCE 5 Base Aviation manager and pilot.
The “NEMSPA Pilot of the Year Award” is awarded to an EMS Pilot nominated by the nation’s air medical transport community of over 300 air medical services.
This award recognizes an EMS pilot who has distinguished themselves above the rest based on the individual’s professionalism, technical knowledge, leadership and safety contributions.
Mr. Simmons began his aviation career 40 years ago in the U.S. Army, then joined LIFE FORCE 28 years ago, shortly after the program’s inception. His experience in the air medical service gives him an ability to be a natural leader within crew members. A “lead by example” personality, as one nominator states, he is approachable and devoted to ensuring he and the crew are well informed and trained. Mr. Simmons is often seen in the hangar answering questions from the crew, running through emergency procedures or assisting the aircraft maintenance staff. When on calls, one crew member stated that Mr. Simmons has developed a keen awareness of the acuity of patients and is able to anticipate the medical staff’s needs.
“As one of our most tenured LIFE FORCE pilots, Brad has shown us what a true professional pilot looks like,” said Robbie Tester, vice president of Operations at Erlanger. “He goes above and beyond and has always been dedicated and committed to the profession. Over the last two years, Brad has been instrumental in ensuring that LIFE FORCE 5 is a high functioning base and has continues to carry the standard of being ‘World-Class’ to a new market.”
After the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, Mr. Simmons was one of the LIFE FORCE crew members who flew to San Antonio as part of the disaster relief efforts. His willingness to fly a LIFE FORCE helicopter to Texas in order to help more people is a true statement of his character. According to a nomination letter, he is the embodiment of a true leader and team player is and continuously shows what the looks like in practice.
The award was presented during the Community Awards presentation at the Air Medical Transport Conference in Fort Worth, Tx., on Oct. 16. For more information about LIFE FORCE, visit www.lifeforceairmed.com.