Johnston County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Lieutenant Jessica Crawford was honored on Tuesday, March 2nd with the 2021 VFW Public Servant Award for Emergency Services personnel.
Each year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars selects law enforcement and emergency services personnel to receive the VFW Public Servant Awards.
Smithfield VFW Post 5886 Commander Robert Boyette said, “It is an honor to recognize a team of real hero’s within Johnston County Emergency Services. This pandemic has shed light on how important they are in our community. Each and every day they are on the front line risking exposure to provide emergency care to those who can’t always help themselves and desperately rely on them. They are led by a great group of leaders and LT Jessica Crawford is a pivotal reason to their success. She and her team have undoubtedly saved countless lives that they may never realize due to their passion and expertise.”
Candidates for the VFW Public Service Award must have demonstrated recognition by their colleagues or those they serve, consistent excellence in the performance of their duties and consistent dedication to their official responsibilities over a period of years and continuous growth in responsibilities and skills within their profession.
Crawford has been a paramedic with Johnston County EMS since 2012. She was promoted to Lieutenant in March 2020 and in that role provides field training to new employees and fills in for the shift supervisor when needed.
Johnston County Emergency Services Deputy Director Josh Holloman added, “Lieutenant Crawford has shown great leadership abilities in her role as a field trainer and she is a role model for our team. She is always professional and helps to lift others up with her personality and her positive encouragement. She was selected for this award based on her performance with our department, her involvement with our department committees, and the leadership qualities she has shown through her work. She lives up to our department values of pride, honor, and integrity. We are grateful to the Smithfield VFW for recognizing Lt. Crawford and for all the community support their organization provides.”
Lt. Crawford is a resident of Benson and started her EMS career as a cadet with Clayton Area EMS.
