Brick EMT Named National Paramedic Of The Year

BRICK, NJ — Brick Township officials honored a township emergency medical technician who has been honored as the national Paramedic of the Year.

Ricardo Lopez, who has worked for Brick's Emergency Medical Services since 2006, was named Paramedic of the Year in November at the National Conference on EMS in Atlantic City.

Lopez, a field training officer and a member of the Tactical EMS Team, has been a full-time EMT in Brick since August 2010 and completed his paramedic certification in August 2019.

Jim Riccio, director of Brick Township's EMS services and the former police chief, read from the statement when Lopez was honored at the national conference. It said Lopez was selected because "in the most critical moments ... (he) stands as a calm study presence."

Lopez leads "with the vision as a tactical EMS commander ... (and has) built a team that thrives under pressure through tireless training, strategic thinking and unwavering commitment to safety," the statement said.

He is the "overall epitome of what an EMS professional should be," treating patients with clinical excellence and bringing compassion, "always reassuring patients and families they are never alone," the statement said. Lopez also has "shaped the next generation of EMS professionals with patience and purpose, leaving a lasting mark on countless careers."

"He's truly an asset to the department," Riccio said.

Mayor Lisa Crate called Lopez "a remarkable human being."

"I have said over and over again I've never had anyone say anything other than how remarkable (Brick Township's EMTs) are and how blessed people felt when they were in a true emergency, in crisis, that our EMS workers were there to help them through that," Crate said. "These are people who show up on what is arguably most people's worst day and they somehow work to make it better."

Lopez, who completed his paramedic certification in August 2019, "has consistently demonstrated exceptional professionalism, clinical expertise, leadership and an unwavering commitment to excellence, earning the respect of his colleagues and the trust of the community," Crate said in presenting him with a proclamation.