5:15 PM Todd Phillips – ALABAMA’S EMT OF THE YEAR
REHOBETH: On Tuesday evening Rehobeth Mayor Kimberly Trotter and members of the Rehobeth Town Council celebrated a great achievement of Todd Phillips.
Recently the Alabama EMS ( Emergency Medical Services ) held the annual convention in Orange Beach Alabama. EMS work force from all 67 Alabama Counties were on hand for the conference.
Rehobeth’s Todd Phillips was elected as EMT of the year for the State of Alabama.
Mr. Sean Gibson who is the District Coordinator for the State of Alabama EMS nominated Todd Phillips for this award. He was selected from a pool of some 1,400 EMT’s across Alabama. Gibson retired from Dothan Fire Department where he was the Batallion Chief over Dothan Fire EMS Division. Prior to being full time with Rehobeth Fire – Rescue Gibson was the supervisor of Todd Phillips while employed with Dothan Fire Department.
A native of the Taylor – Rehobeth area. Todd Phillips has stayed close to his roots. During his career he worked with Enterprise Rescue and Dothan Fire Department. A number of years ago, wanting to give back to his community, Todd Phillips joined as a volunteer with Rehobeth Fire – Rescue. It was not long before the members elected him as Chief of Rehobeth Fire – Rescue. A volunteer job that Todd did in addition to his duties with Dothan Fire Department. When Todd took over Rehobeth Fire – Rescue he learned the department was some $ 300,000.00 in debt. Todd dug deep into the financial sitation and after much prayer, talking, thinking, he developed a plan for the future.
During Todd’s working years and Enterprise Rescue, Todd had seen how Enterprise Rescue, once a total volunteer unit, they moved to a paid staff. And Todd saw how the volunteer workforce was quickly becoming something that did not meet the needs. With all of his research, also seeing what the Hovey’s developed in Slocomb, he knew that fire and EMS had to join hands and be cross trained.
Todd was diligent in his planning and peristent in talking with Mayor Trotter and the members of Rehobeth Town Council. After multiple discussions it finally clicked with Mayor Trotter and the Town Council and the decision was made to make the department a full time department under the Town of Rehobeth.
With Todd Phillip’s blessings, NIck Floyd became the first paid FIre – EMS Chief for Rehobeth. Todd was still working with Dothan Fire Department on a full time basis. But Todd was still a very active part of Rehobeth Fire – Rescue.
As things began to work as Todd had planned then Mayor Trotter and the members of Rehobeth Town Council realized how valuable Todd Phillips was to the Town of Rehobeth. He was someone who loved his community, loved to serve others, always willing to roll his sleeves up and work at any task placed before him. Discussions began – and came to a reality of Todd Phillips coming to the Town of Rehobeth on a full time basis. Again after much prayer, thought and discussion Todd Phillips resigned from Dothan Fire Department and went full time with the Town of Rehobeth.
No one really knows what title to place on Todd Phillips. He is the right hand and left hand for Mayor Kimberly Trotter, Rehibeth Town Clerk, and Rehobeth Town Council. Nick Floyd is Fire – EMS Chief with Todd right there with him. Todd may be on the fire truck, the ambulance, when a second ambulance is needed on that ambulance. Todd may be constructing the training field. Todd may be cutting grass. He might be finding water lines or hydrants. He might be holding training sessions.
Then Todd might be attending important meetings where Mayor Trotter has a scheduling conflict. He is wherever and doing whatever is needed to serve the community and city.
Todd, Nick, Mayor Trotter and the Town Council developed and approved a plan to place a ambulance in Taylor. The plan was then presented to Joey Pilcher because Pilcher Ambulance was responsible for Taylor. The plan was then presented to then Taylor Mayor Billy Snell followed by the City Council for Taylor. That plan became a reality with a Rehobeth Ambulance stationed in Taylor working hand in hand with Taylor Volunteer Fire Chief Nathan Peterman and members of Taylor Volunteer Fire. Seconds count in emergencies and having a second ambulance stationed in Taylor helps save lives and property.
Todd Phillips is not always on the ambulance. But he took the debt as a challenge, developed plans, presented the plans – over and over until it clicked. And since the implementation of the plan no one has looked back. Because that plan saves lives and property.
But Todd Phillips could not be successful if it were not for the men and women who work for Rehobeth Fire – Rescue, Nick Floyd, Mayor Trotter and the Rehobeth Town Council.
Last evening Alabama State Representative Paul Lee, Rick Rehm and State Senator Donnie Chesteen presented Todd Phillips with a legislative resolution in honor of his achievement.
A celebration from 4 – 6 PM, a full house, people from all walks of life to congratulate Todd. But, at 7:33 PM, back to work when Rehobeth Fire – Rescue was mutual aid dispatched to assist Slocomb Fire – Rescue with a motor vehicle accident. Rehobeth works daily with Slocomb Fire – Rescue, Taylor Volunteer Fire, Southern Junction Volunteer Fire, Hodgesville Volunteer Fire, Madrid Volunteer Fire, Bay Springs Volunteer Fire, Pilcher Ambulance Service, sometimes Wicksburg Fire – Rescue and Dothan Fire.
CONGRATULATIONS TO TODD PHILLIPS. He has also been named Grand Marshall for the Rehobeth Christmas Parade. Todd hates recongnition and they have to not ask him, just tell him.
