EMS Coordinators
We'd like to introduce to you in the EMS Coordination team. They take great pride in providing the very best service to our members.
General
Statement of Duties:
The
The Assistant
Steve
Sims - Fire Chief, EMS Director
Chief Steve Sims has been employed with the Bella Vista Fire Department/EMS since June 2, 1995. Becoming a firefighter and paramedic was a childhood dream for Steve, and at the age of 20 he completed his EMT and Paramedic training through the Springdale Memorial Hospital certification program. He worked for Central EMS in Fayetteville and at the time was too young to drive the ambulances. He could only ride in the back and work on the patient. He also holds an Associate Degree in Paramedic Science, a Bachelors degree in Emergency Management and is set to complete his Master’s degree in Emergency Management in December 2009 from Arkansas Tech in Russellville. He keeps his certifications for Paramedic, Advanced Medical Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support and Fire Certifications current.
Chief Sims has always wanted to help others and enjoys his occupation and within a year from the date of application the Bella Vista Fire Department and BVAS provided the opportunity to pursue this dream. As he waited to have the patches sewn on his shirt the realization then became evident that he had in fact accomplished his dream, and he would be here in Bella Vista serving this community for sometime. This is a beautiful area and he enjoys the people living here very much.
Chief Sims duties as the EMS director include the general and complete oversight of all EMS activities, purchases, and coordination. As with the fire service, the same would apply with our EMS service: If it is to be changed, implemented, or accomplished...he'll have a hand in it - guaranteed.
He foresees the fire department growing in the future and the quality of care becoming even greater, as well as the EMS/BVAS service expanding and becoming even more proficient.
When he is not here in Bella Vista, he enjoys spending time with his family and fishing. He also enjoys helping other people through church activities and community outreach.
Chief Sims would like to extend his sincere gratitude to those who continue to faithfully support both the fire department & BVAS here in Bella Vista.
Jim Johnson - Lieutenant, EMS Coordinator
Lieutenant Jim Johnson, a Firefighter and Paramedic, joined the Bella Vista Fire Department and Bella Vista Ambulance Service team in 1986 after receiving his paramedic certification in Joplin, MO. Previously he gave his service to his country and community as a corpsman in the US Navy, and as a veteran of "Operations: Desert Shield" and "Desert Storm". He holds an Associates degree in Fire Science which he received at Garland County Community College in 1989.
While involved as a fighter in a Golden Gloves boxing tournament in his early years, Jim was motivated to start a career in EMS (Emergency Medical Services) after seeing an EMS team save another boxers life after he had received a life-threatening injury during a fight.
His duties as the EMS Coordinator include maintaining a budget for the Ambulance Service, training the EMS team, and ensuring that the members of the service receive the absolute best care through the research and acquisition of state-of-the-art ambulances and equipment that are placed in service and on-board. He also provides direction with the production and implementation of all Ambulance Service policies, protocol and procedures, as well as the coordination of these with the hospitals through close communication and teamwork with our Medical Director. Jim also holds a regional faculty position with the American Heart Association.
Lieutenant Jim Johnson is married and has been blessed with 4 children with ages ranging from 9 to 22 years, and resides in the City of Bentonville.
Robert Hamilton - Lieutenant, Assistant EMS Coordinator
Lieutenant Robert Hamilton - Firefighter/Paramedic, has been with the Bella Vista Fire Department since April, 1995. When he graduated from high school he joined the Air Force where he got his fire fighting training. While in the Air Force he received his EMT training from the University of Maryland. He liked being a fire fighter and EMT so when he left the Air Force he was hired here in Bella Vista. He had grown up in this area and wanted to stay “close to home”. During his employment in Bella Vista the Bella Vista Ambulance Service paid for his Paramedic training at Northwest Arkansas Community College.
He is Assistant EMS Coordinator which means he orders
Emergency Medical Supplies for all 5 ambulances and he sets up daily
training for “A” shift. In spring
of 2005 he was the recipient of the “Star of Life” award for the State
of Arkansas and in April 2009 he earned the rank of Lieutenant.
In the future Robert would like to continue to work on
“A” shift and see a bigger tax base for the City of Bella Vista so the
Fire Department can stay up to date with equipment to keep the citizens
educated and safe.
When
Robert is not at work he does some house remodeling.
He enjoys his 5 acre farm in
Hiwassee. Robert, his wife
Amanda, his daughter, Reese and 2 sons, Koletun and Beau have a large
garden which keep them busy in the summer.
He also enjoys watching his children play football.