Published on May 14, 2015

Mayor Janice S. Mironov proclaimed Emergency Medical Services Week and honored Kira Behen, East Windsor Rescue Squad, District I “EMT of the Year” and Robert Held, East Windsor Township E.M.S #2 “EMT of the Year”. Mayor Mironov was joined by East Windsor Rescue Squad, District I Chief Scott Prykanowski, East Windsor Township E.M.S. #2 Chief Tristan Torres, East Windsor Township E.M.S. #2 President Rita Teubner, and rescue squad members.

Kira Behen joined East Windsor Rescue Squad, District I in 2003, and has since actively pursued skills and educational advancement, earning her Emergency Medical Technician certification in June 2004 and Paramedic certification in 2012, and is also professionally engaged in emergency medical service delivery. In January 2014, Kira Behen ascended to President of East Windsor Rescue Squad, District I, after previously holding other leadership positions including Cadet Advisor, Vehicle Engineer, Safety Officer, Lieutenant, Captain and Deputy Chief, in addition to serving as a mentor for and sharing her training and knowledge with new members. Over the course of her career, Kira Behen is personally responsible for multiple life-saving actions including two pediatric CPR Cardiac arrest saves and eleven adult CPR saves, four cardiac saves in the past year, in addition to administering the EpiPen to reverse the deadly effects of Anaphylaxis and several vehicle extrications.

Mayor Mironov praised her in the Proclamation noting, “Kira Behen, who has ranked as a Top Responder in answering Rescue Squad calls for the past ten years and has excelled in all functions of the Rescue Squad, was previously honored as “Emergency Medical Technician of the Year” in 2010 and 2011, underscoring her longstanding commitment and devotion to the Rescue Squad and the community. Kira Behen’s extraordinary skills, dedication and enthusiasm, as well as her countless hours of service, have again earned her high regard from the members of East Windsor Rescue Squad, District I and the entire community.

Robert Held, who joined East Windsor rescue Squad, District II in August 1985, quickly proved his skills as a First Lieutenant and a key component of the Rescue Squad operations. Robert Held is currently Captain of East Windsor Township E.M.S #2 and has held numerous positions of leadership and key responsibility within East Windsor Rescue Squad, District II, including First Lieutenant, Captain, Vice President, Crew Chief, as well as contributing to the community as Co-Chairperson of the East Windsor Juvenile Conference Committee. Robert is directly responsible for two ambulance child births and five cardiac saves, has actively and caringly stepped up to ensure continued emergency medical services to East Windsor responding to countless calls for emergency medical services in 2015, and assisting other volunteers in responding to emergency medical service needs.

Mayor Mironov praised him in the Proclamation noting, “Robert Held is being honored as ‘Emergency Medical Technician of the Year’ for his almost 30 years of exceptional volunteer service, leadership, hard work, dedication, and continuing civic commitment, demonstrated by his countless hours of service, earning him the gratitude of the members of East Windsor Township E.M.S #2 and the entire community.”

Mayor Mironov further expressed deep appreciation to the other emergency medical service volunteers, noting that they were part of organizations serving East Windsor Township with dedication for over four decades and were admired and supported by our community."

Mayor Janice S. Mironov recognizes "EMT'S of the Year" Kira Behen of East Windsor Rescue Squad, District No. 1 and Robert Held of currently organized East Windsor Township E.M.S. #2. Pictured (from left to right) are: East Windsor Rescue Squad, District I Chief Scott Prykanowski; Mayor Janice S. Mironov; Kira Behen, East Windsor Rescue Squad, District I "EMT of the Year"; Robert Held, East Windsor Township E.M.S. #2 "EMT of the Year"; East Windsor Township E.M.S. #2 President Rita Teubner, and East Windsor Township E.M.S. #2 Chief Tristan Torres.