Making precious minutes count to save lives is exactly what great first responders do. CareFlite’s annual salute to these heroes, the Great First Responders Award Ceremony, was held May 21 at the Arlington Convention Center.

The luncheon honors local emergency medical technicians, paramedics, fire fighters and peace officers who answered the call over the past year to save lives. In all, 31 area heroes were acknowledged on stage by Careflite’s President/CEO James Swartz. DFW Hospital Council President/CEO W. Stephen Love served as speaker to discuss “The First Responders: The Critical Link in Pre-Hospital Care.”

Since 2007, Careflite’s award ceremony has honored more than 800 local first responders from across the metroplex.

CareFlite is the only, fully-integrated medical transport company serving North Texas. Established in 1979, CareFlite is the eighth oldest air medical transportation service in the nation. CareFlite is a Texas, nonprofit 501(c) 3 corporation governed by a Board of Directors with representatives from Texas Health Resources, Methodist Health System, Baylor Scott & White Health, Parkland Health & Hospital System and JPS Health Network.