MOOSIC — First responders Emmett Thomas and Michael Ankenbrand from the Greater Pittston Regional Ambulance Association were recently awarded the Alice and Bob Walsh Heroism Award during Geisinger’s 14th annual EMS Provider of the Years Awards Reception.
Their ambulance was struck in a head-on collision, and the first responders extricated themselves and cared for the patient they were transporting — as well as the driver of the other vehicle in the crash.
Jack Lasky, Geisinger’s EMS coordinator, announced the renaming of Geisinger’s annual heroism award by presenting a plaque to the Walsh family.
Alice and Bob Walsh helped found the Sweet Valley Ambulance Association and served the fire company for over 50 years. Both passed away in 2017 at age 84.
Ankenbrand and Thomas later threw the first pitch for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders baseball game.
