The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Emergency Medical Services Section named Mark Lockhart, NREMT-P, fire chief of the Maryland Heights Fire Protection District, Missouri, as the 2009 recipient of the James O. Page EMS Achievement Award. The award presentation took place during the General Session at the IAFC’s annual conference for fire-based EMS leaders, on May 4 in Las Vegas.
This honor — presented by the IAFC EMS Section and Physio-Control, Inc. — is awarded annually to an individual who has played a key role in creating and/or promoting non-clinical innovation and achievements in fire service based EMS management and leadership that have had a positive impact nationally. The award is named in honor of the late James O. Page, who was a visionary and national leader in fire service based EMS for more than three decades.
Recipients selected for this award must be dedicated to creating a positive image for EMS as a whole while being an advocate of the fire service, devoted to making a difference for the overall good of the fire service and committed to furthering and strengthening the role and image of the fire service EMS across the country. Each year’s recipient shows the following qualities: Enthusiasm and dedication toward fire service based EMS; professionalism and vision; a desire for achievement and drive for excellence; exemplary performance, and leadership qualities.
Since 2007, Lockhart has served as chief of the Maryland Heights Fire Protection District in St. Louis County, Missouri. His career in fire and emergency medical services started in 1983 and includes working for an ambulance district, an air medical program and a Level I trauma center. Lockhart served as the deputy chief in charge of Emergency Medical Services prior to his promotion to chief.
Lockhart is a past president of NAEMT and is a recipient of the NAEMT Jeffrey S. Harris National Leadership Award; the A. Roger Fox Founders Award for outstanding contributions to the association; a Presidential Leadership Award; and the William Klingensmith EMS Administrator of the Year Award.
As a member of the Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) International Faculty, Chief Lockhart has taught EMS professionals in the United States, Mexico, Great Britain and Sweden. He served as a site reviewer for the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services for 15 years and currently serves as a member of the IAFC Fire-Rescue-Med Conference Planning Committee. In addition, he currently chairs the IAFC EMS Section’s Elections Committee and By-Laws Committee.