The annual Lenoir County Emergency Services banquet was held Wednesday at the Kinston Community Center. Award winners included, from left, retired Fire Chief Don Crawford (Distinguished Service Award), Taylor Buckingham (Telecommunicator of the Year), Cameron Green (Brent West Memorial Award), Blake Benson (Deputy of the Year), Tyler Moore (Firefighter of the Year), Kimberly Jackson (EMS Positive Influence), Savanna Kelty (EMS Superior Patient Care), Madison Allen (EMS Continuing Education), Jo Rogers Barfield (EMS Patient Advocate), Michael Hubel (EMS Professional of the Year). All photos by Brandon Potter / Potter Photography & Design

A number of Lenoir County’s heroes received recognition this week.

The Lenoir County Emergency Services banquet was held at the Kinston Community Center Wednesday night. The event, catered by Nana’s Catering, provided an opportunity for all local first responders to get together and join in fellowship.

Greenville Public Safety Pipes and Drums played Amazing Grace in remembrance of all local first responders that have passed away in the past year.

The night offered different factions of local emergency services to mingle with others.

“I love how the banquet has grown, that even the newest of employees showed,” Lenoir County EMS paramedic Sheila Hunter said.

Keynote speaker Mike Reynolds, U.S. Army MSG (Ret), stole the evening with humor and a strong message for his audience.

“If you don’t have a plan, you will have a problem,” he said.

He spoke of the difficulties transitioning to the life of someone who isn’t an emergency responder.

After dinner, awards were presented. North Lenoir Fire & Rescue Chief Brian Wade presented the Lenoir County Fireman of the Year award to Tyler Moore, North Lenoir Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief.

Paige Johnson, a Lenoir County Emergency Services Operations Manager, presented the award for Lenoir County Telecommunicator of the year to  Taylor Buckingham, Lenoir County 911 dispatcher. Johnson also presented the Brent West Memorial award, the first time this award has been given out, to Cameron Green, Lenoir County 911 Dispatcher.

EMS Deputy Director James Hood presented four service awards to Savanna Kelty, Jo Rogers Barfield, Madison Allen and Kimberly Jackson. Hood also presented the EMS Professional of the Year award to Michael Hubel, Lenoir County Emergency Services Paramedic.

Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Ryan Dawson presented the Deputy of the Year award to Blake Benson. The final award of the evening, the Distinguished Service Award, was given to retired city of Kinston Fire Chief Don Crawford who served the city of Kinston for more than 30 years.

Past Distinguished Service Award winners include Roger Dail in 2017 and Deral Raynor in 2018.