FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, April 28th, 2006

LAFAYETTE, LA -- The 2006 Acadian Ambulance Service Paramedic Luncheon Friday at the Cajundome Convention Center here constituted what participants believe was the most prestigious tribute ever paid to EMS professionals. It featured praise for the Paramedic of the year, Carl Dugas, and all the other members of the Acadian Paramedic corps by the president of the United States, a former president, the governor of Louisiana, and Lafayette's city-parish president.

Former President George H. Bush, the keynote speaker, was introduced through audio-visual technology from the White House by his son, President George W. Bush. The president cited  what he called the “unmatched valor and unequaled innovation” of the Acadian Ambulance staff in meeting the needs of  victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. He praised the “can-do attitude that uplifted and inspired all of us who saw it.”

Former President Bush referred to the Acadian paramedics as America's heroes. “Nothing could have been more grueling – more stressful – than those hours when medics toiled to evacuate thousands of people from hospitals,” he said. “Medics were in the field 24 hours straight. In many cases, these heroes worked unceasingly to help others, knowing their own homes and all their possessions had been destroyed. It is profoundly inspirational that their fellow employees, without being asked, began almost immediately making donations to assist them. Company officials say the generosity toward those who were victims of the storm, as well as heroes of it, was overpowering.

“I can think of no greater honor than being allowed to participate in this tribute to the men and women of Acadian Ambulance, who were at the forefront of one of the greatest rescue and relief efforts in the history of our nation,” the former president said.

Bush also paid tribute to people outside the EMS field who provided powerful support in the aftermath of the storms. “There are people here besides these courageous medics who contributed to the Katrina and Rita rescue effort,” he said. “They are the private citizens, University of Louisiana officials and others, who provided food and temporary housing for emergency responders who came to share the awesome burden of Acadian Ambulance.”

He had high praise for the emergency responders who came to Louisiana from other states. “The devastation in New Orleans was such,” he said, “that despite its remarkable personnel, extensive equipment and industry-leading technology, Acadian Ambulance would have faced a ‘mission impossible' situation without them. “In a relatively brief period of time,” he said, “nearly 200 ambulances and 400 medics arrived to join Acadian. “There were people and equipment from Texas, California, Illinois, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, New York, and Kentucky. Medics and resources were on standby in Canada and Hawaii in case they were needed.”

The former president pointed out that it was not just an emergency medical services response. “Law enforcement agencies and fire departments sent willing workers to the scene,” he said.  “When it appeared that the efforts of Acadian Ambulance and others would be crippled by communications problems, Iberia Parish Sheriff Sid Hebert sent into Gretna armed deputies and a mobile command center that gave Acadian lifesaving radio communications.”

“You are all special people,” he told the Acadian Ambulance Service employee-owners. “People who give of themselves to help others are the true heroes. I am proud to join in paying a heartfelt tribute to the men and women of Acadian and the special person named Paramedic of the Year.”

Bush also reported on the disaster relief fund-raising effort that he conducted with another former president, Bill Clinton. Donations at this time, he said, total over $125 million.  “The people who supported the fund-raising effort covered the full spectrum of Americans,” he said.  “Donations ranged from multi-million dollar contributions from foundations and corporations, to sixteen-dollars raised by a child at a lemonade stand. Foreign governments came forward to share the generosity and donate to the relief fund.”

Bush commented on his long-time friendship with Richard Zuschlag, a founder and corporate officer of Acadian Ambulance Service. “I've never seen another guy who was about four quarts over the top in energy and imagination,” he said. “It's a great treat to be around him.”

Gov. Blanco, whose brother Erroll heads Acadian's Air Med division, called the event “a celebration of heroes.” She told the Acadian employees “You worked in the trenches to keep Louisiana's people safe.” She said the paramedics and other employee-owners of Acadian “met devastation with action.” Other states, the governor said, “don't have as distinctive an ambulance service as Acadian.”

The governor offered assurances that Louisiana is prepared for the next hurricane season beginning June 1, with lessons learned from Katrina and Rita incorporated into disaster response plans, plus advances in communications and other technology, stronger support for first responders and revised and more effective evacuation procedures.

City-Parish President Joey Durel welcomed former President Bush to Lafayette. He noted the size of the crowd that had turned out for the luncheon, and observed that the largest crowd in Cajundome history was in the wake of Hurricane Katrina when Lafayette housed more evacuees – some 17,000 – than any other city. He called Acadian the “shining star” of the hurricane response efforts.

Others participating in the program were Bishop Michael Jarrell, Acadian Ambulance Chairman and CEO Richard Zuschlag, Acadian President David Pierce, and the company's chief medical officer, Dr. Ross Judice.

Judice introduced the 2006 Paramedic of the Year, saying, Carl Dugas' “dedication and attitude to Acadian knows no bounds.”  He presented Dugas with a Paramedic of the Year plaque and pin.

Dugas, as the major honoree of the prestigious gathering, said he accepted the honor – not as a personal tribute, but on behalf of all the Acadian Ambulance EMTs, calling them “the best in the nation.” The 22-year Acadian veteran, who works as an offshore medic, said he literally grew up in the Acadian Family, starting out as a driver when he was twenty years old.

Dugas, as the major honoree of the prestigious gathering, said he accepted the honor – not as a personal tribute, but on behalf of all the Acadian Ambulance EMTs, calling them “the best in the nation.” The 22-year Acadian veteran, who works as an offshore medic, said he literally grew up in the Acadian Family, starting out as a driver when he was twenty years old. He began working for Acadian Integrated Solutions in 1986 where he works as a contract paramedic offshore on a 21/21 shift.

Dugas was cited for his experience, skill and compassion. The Lafayette native said that he considered it an honor to be part of the company.  “Everything that I have…everything that I am…I owe to Acadian,” he said.

Other medics who were recognized included past medics of the year and the 2006 Paramedic of the Year finalists: Bobby Todd, Brian Regan, Briana Briscoe, Gil Vallian, Jamie Bergeron, Jessica Irving, Louis Eschete, and Trey Landry.

Zuschlag concluded the program expressing his gratitude to the company's management staff and the more than 2000 employee-owners who have contributed to the company's success.

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