MARYSVILLE — Marysville Fire District firefighter and paramedic Dan Schwartz recently received the Department of Washington Public Servant Emergency Medical Technician Award for 2008. This award goes to EMTs who demonstrate a high level of excellence and commitment to ongoing education. Each year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars select emergency services personnel, law enforcement officers and firefighters to receive the VFW National Awards.

Schwartz began a teaching career at Marysville Middle School in 1990. The following year, he became interested in working in fire service and started as a part-time firefighter with the Marysville Fire District. He was hired full-time with the district in 1996. Two years later, he attended the University of Washington Harborview Medical Center paramedic training program. Upon completion of the program, he obtained his National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic Certification, his Washington State Paramedic Certification and his Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certificate. He currently oversees the district’s Multiple Casualty Incident program and is serving as education coordinator for the Snohomish County Emergency Medical Services Program.
”The fact that I was nominated by my department and supervisors feels really good,” Schwartz said of the award. “It makes it that much more meaningful knowing they respect what I do.”
Schwartz was recognized at the Marysville Fire District Board of Directors meeting Feb. 25, with his coworkers and family by his side. He had been previously honored at the VFW Department of Washington Awards dinner in Spokane in January of this year.

During the event, VFW 1561 Post Commander William Morse expressed his “deepest respect and admiration” for Schwartz.

“I am in awe of the work you do,” Morse said. “I am delighted to be honoring one of our own paramedics from the Marysville area.”
”The Marysville Fire District is proud to have people like Dan Schwartz as part of their fire district family,” said Kristen Thorstenson, public education specialist and public information officer for the Marysville Fire District, which has 20 paramedics on staff.