Below is a transcript from the presentation:

First, we would like to acknowledge and congratulate the other first responders and their families here today. Often, the family support to all first responders goes unnoticed in the shadows, and without their support, we would not have such a strong and brilliant first responder community. I would like to thank the osteopathic society for the continued support and recognition of the work and dedication our first responders provide to our community every day. And finally, the Pinellas County authority for supporting us to this award ceremony.

Today, we are here to celebrate William Gay – An exemplary Supervisor and Paramedic at Sunstar Paramedics.

In 2018, Sunstar Paramedics welcomed William Gay, a dedicated individual with a commendable journey that has truly set him apart. Starting as an EMT at Pinellas County EMS, William transitioned from a successful stint at Chick-Fil-A, where he rose to the position of Operations Director at a local St. Petersburg store (he started there as the person in the cow mascot, unfortunately, we did not bring the costume today). Side note – Will, if you still have any pull with them, please encourage them to put the peach shake and chicken tortilla soup on the menu full time. His path took a transformative turn when he discovered his true calling in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). In 2021, William took the bold step of acquiring his Paramedic training, marking the beginning of a remarkable ascent in his career.

Despite the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic, William’s resilience shone through. From being a preceptor to assuming the role of a field training officer, he now stands tall as one of our most accomplished Assistant Supervisors and most recently, a promotion to a full-time field operations supervisor. William’s unwavering commitment to excellence has not only steered him through the tumultuous times in EMS but has also positioned him as a beacon of inspiration within our organization.

A brief testament to this was a recent call that Willam had, where he responded to one of our own who was involved in a significant motor vehicle collision. These are some of the most difficult calls a first responder can run. He was able to provide the highest level of care while maintaining his composure and professionalism, not an easy task.

William is not just a professional powerhouse; he is also a devoted family man. Married to Rebecca, a dedicated kindergarten teacher with Pasco County schools, William is a proud father of three wonderful children—9-year-old Elliot in third grade, 5-year-old Eliza in kindergarten, and 3-year-old Eisley Faye in Pre-K. In the midst of managing a bustling household with two dogs and two cats, William somehow finds time for his personal pursuits. He is a passionate builder of scale models, and he is also on the verge of completing his associate degree through St. Petersburg College.

What truly sets William apart is his selfless dedication to the community, his patients, and his colleagues. Every day, he goes above and beyond, embodying the spirit of excellence that defines Sunstar Paramedics. As we celebrate William as one of our shining stars, we express our profound pride in having him as an integral part of our team.

Thank you William for your service to our community and to Williams family and spouse, Rebecca, thank you for your support to him and the children you teach every day.