Two Emergency Management employees and two Emergency Medical Service employees were promoted, and two other employees gained medical operational credentials recently.

Debbie Quimby of Punta Gorda was promoted to Special Needs Program Specialist from Administrative Specialist, and Fred Boyce of Cape Coral was promoted to Public Safety Operations Technician from Maintenance Worker. Both are employed in the Emergency Management Department of the Public Safety Division.

Quimby ensures the medically infirmed or handicapped are properly registered and cared for during emergencies through the county's Special Needs Program. Boyce assumes responsibility for the workability of all Emergency Management equipment and for operations support during activation of the Emergency Operations Center.

In EMS, Carole Poirier, EMT-P, of North Fort Myers and Robert Bertulli, EMT-P, of Lehigh were promoted to Lieutenant from field paramedics. They will assume shift supervisory duties for EMS field operations through their promotions.

In addition, Lee County EMS added new paramedics to its division through his successful completion of the agency's field training program.

The newly credentialed paramedics are:

Ray Wiegand, EMT-P, North Port

Guido Santangelo, EMT-P, Fort Myers

Each paramedic and EMT that Lee County hires or promotes is required to participate in a two week orientation and complete a field training program. Upon completion of the field training program, employees are required to pass a test before an internal credentialing board which includes the EMS medical director.