Jones Awarded GEMSA Educator of the Year
Jim Jones of Southeastern Technical College (STC) and Toombs‐ Montgomery EMS was awarded the 2021 Georgia EMS Educator of the Year Award at the Georgia Emergency Medical Services Association (GEMSA) awards reception on Sunday, March 27, in Buford.
This award is presented to an EMS educator that has contributed significantly to EMS education at the community, regional, and/or state level.
“Congratulations to our own Jim Jones on being named Georgia EMS Educator of the Year,” said STC Vice President for Academic Affairs Teresa Coleman. “Jim was nominated by multiple EMS directors and personnel throughout our state. There were 11 other nominees for this coveted award. Although Jim has retired from his full-time position at Southeastern Tech, he served as the Emergency Services Education program director in Vidalia since 1997 and has come back to work with us in a part-time capacity.”
GEMSA said, “Students have been known to drive across multiple county lines to attend STC because of the formidable reputation that comes with the program. Jim’s passion for the profession and teaching is evident in the way he presents himself during class. It is obvious that the standards are high and he takes great pride in the program and, most importantly, in the students. “Jim's impact is visible in the fact that 18 out of the current 24 full-time members of the Toombs‐ Montgomery EMS department are graduates of STC. In addition, Jim's graduates account for hundreds of front‐line providers in surrounding agencies, including many who are now flight medics.”
Jones also serves as the training coordinator for Toombs‐Montgomery EMS. “When approached about expanding his role with the EMS department, Jim hit the ground running, establishing one of the best in-house continuing education programs in the state. Not only do current members enjoy and utilize this resource, but the department also uses it as an incentive for hiring new members who will not have to worry about obtaining their CEU hours. Jim has also taken on more tasks, including infectious control coordinator, and helping launch an EMS Youth Academy in the fall of 2015. Jim has become a vital asset for EMS throughout Georgia, serving on numerous committees, and has become a resource for the Georgia Office of EMS and Trauma on educational topics. On a personal level, Jim is a strong man of faith and is often lending an ear for EMS professionals,” GEMSA said. GEMSA is a statewide membership organization that represents more than 14,000 EMTs, paramedics, nurses, physicians, and businesses that support emergency medical services. GEMSA administers grants that benefit EMS services, which in turn benefit our communities across the state. The Association also offers continuing education credits at two conferences held every year along with other training opportunities.
