JIM TRAUFLER HONORED
Long-time TIERS volunteer Jim Traufler, EMT-B Class of '05, was honored at the Watertown Elks Club's first Volunteer Recognition Dinner Saturday night, February 25.
Elks Exalted Ruler Dave Bonney contacted TIERS Director Rolly Churchill about selecting a recipient for the award and "it only took about one second for us to pick an individual to be recognized from our organization. Jim certainly meets the criteria for recognition even if he feels he is not deserving," said Churchill.
A retired U.S. Army military policeman, Jim has volunteered thousands of hours as a TIERS driver, Certified First Responder and Emergency Medical Technician--all the time while undergoing kidney dialysis. He and his wife Chong live just outside Clayton; son William is a college student, and both joined Jim, Rolly, Vicki and Carley Churchill and Pat Patchen at the dinner.
Jim's tribute, read aloud by Rolly, follows:
Jim Traufler is a true hero. Not because he became one of the first ambulance drivers and has been on hundreds of emergency calls for Thousand Islands Rescue. Not because he became a Certified First Responder to “be in the back” and learn more about helping others. Not because he became an Emergency Medical Technician so he could have more patient personal contact and learn new skills. Jim is a hero because he accomplished all of these things while getting his kidney dialysis done every other day at the Dialysis Center in Watertown. Jim has been on kidney dialysis for over seven years now. He is on the waiting list for a kidney transplant and we pray that this can happen soon.
Jim is a true hero because he understands health care problems, issues, and devotion to his fellow volunteers and working together as a team. He is headstrong, dedicated, and never takes no for an answer. He is also a hero because he continues to be a husband to his beautiful wife, Chong, and his only son, William, who is attending college. He represents what it is to give something back to his community and to other people in our society. This is just what heroism is all about.
All of the Board of Directors, Career Employees, and fellow volunteers at Thousand Islands Emergency Rescue Service salute Jim as a representative of our squad and praise him for what he has contributed to our service.
Thank You Jim.
Jean Heady, Chair
Rolly Churchill Director
Jim with New York State Elks President Tim Kelly and Jefferson County Fire and Emergency Director Greg Brunelle, who also presented a Certificate of Appreciation from Jefferson County Sheriff John Burns.
