On Friday, May 7, 2021, the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce and Carl M. Freeman Companies recognized the outstanding achievements and service of police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical service units from Southern Sussex County at the 2021 Joshua M. Freeman Valor Awards Luncheon.  Hosted at Signatures at Bayside, the event recognized servicemen and women from twelve departments across Southern Delaware, nominated by their superiors or units, for their work and achievements throughout the past year.

The Overall Valor Award went to the Sussex County Emergency Medical Services Team, whose actions made an impact for their agency, this community, and our entire state of Delaware.

In 2020 and 2021, the men and women from the Sussex County EMS Team have responded more than 28,000 times to emergencies since the COVID-19 pandemic began. This was at a time of increased risk due to the pandemic and required a more widespread use of personal protective equipment.  The Sussex County EMS team had to put their fears aside in order to continue to respond to emergencies and serve the Southern Sussex County community.

Director Robert Murray of Sussex County Emergency Medical Services nominated the EMS team for the award, stating, “Despite fears of not only acquiring the virus at work but the heart-wrenching real possibility of bringing home the virus to those who we cherish most, our paramedics performed in a manner that I could not be more proud of. From treating the residents and visitors to Sussex County, to providing education, testing, and vaccinations, your Sussex County paramedics were there.”

The luncheon, emceed by Mike Bradley from WGMD Radio, was well attended by local servicemen and women, government officials, community members, and chamber members. Presented by The Carl M. Freeman Companies and the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce, the Joshua M. Freeman Valor Award luncheon was supported by Banks Wines & Spirits, Coastal Point, Delmarva Power, Mountaire Farms, Calvin B. Taylor Bank, Beebe Health Care, Creative Concepts, Bethany Beach Books, PNC Bank, and Millville Boardwalk.