Okaloosa County BOCC — September 15, 2015 — H.E.R.O. Award - Heather Ward

H.E.R.O. Feedback Form s, 828 e Humanitarian Efforts Recognized by Okaloosa County an RQSO/I ' (To be completed by Department Director) = Employee’s Full Name: Heather Ward Department: Public Safety / EMS Job Title: EMT (ALS) Detail reasons why Director is nominating employee for a H.E.R.O. Award: On Thursday, August 20th 2015, EMT Heather Ward and her partner, Paramedic Marysa Kirby, answered a call for a 9 year old little girl injured in a bicycle accident. They arrived to find her still entangled in the wheel of the bicycle and in pain. Due to the extent of her entanglement they had to cut the bike to pieces to get her free. While cutting the bike freed her injured leg, it also ruined the only bike (toy) the little girl seemed to have. Marysa and Heather felt in their hearts that she deserved a new bike. In the purest spirit of giving and kindness, they both when to Wal-Mart the next morning when they got off shift and bought the little girl a new bike. They quietly took it to her house while she was at school and left it on the front porch for her to find when she got home. However, in spite of their efforts to be discrete, this did not go unnoticed and became the subject of appreciation on social media and was reported to the North West Florida Daily News. While the response efforts made by Heather and Marysa were normal and expected activities of their jobs, it is their kindness and generosity after the call that makes us all so proud. Without a doubt, they had in their minds no expectations of recognition. This was motivated by something far more special; a simple hope of putting a smile on that little girl's face —a smile they knew they probably wouldn't get to see, but would be there just the same. As such, | nominate Heather Ward and Marysa Kirby for Okaloosa County’s Humanitarian Efforts Award and request they be recognized as HEROs by the Board. Nominating DWJ/\ Paul A. Lawson, Interim Public Safety Director Signature: / ,/M{N/L Date: »&’é Z/J ~ Send this form, along with any documentation (if applicable) to HR for review. fj)p ove g Deny HR Director Review: gfl P~ Comments: e County Administrator (or designee) signature: Revised 04/09/09 Date: Directions to CAO staff: If approved: Coordinate, between Department Director and County Administrator, recognition at an upcoming Board meeting Prepare certificate for presentation; forward copy to HR Forward a copy of all documentation to Public Information Officer Forward original Feedback form and any attached documentation to HR If denied: Copies of this form and any supporting documentation, if applicable, to Director Original copy of this form and any supporting documentation to HR Directions to PIO: Coordinate the following: picture of employee on website (if agreeable), press release, and spotlight in the next County Newsletter Directions for HR: Payroll HR Specialist process 8 hours of leave for all approved employees Enter information in tracking database All paperwork to be filed in employees HR file R €Ceivey AUG 9,92075_ Ly e SOUrcag Revised 04/09/09 THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED TO HEATHER WARD