DENVER, Nov. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Air Methods, the leading air medical service, announced today that David Richardson, senior vice president customer experience, and Martin Delaney, regional vice president, Midwest region, were both honored with Patriot Awards, a U.S. Department of Defense honor that recognizes employers who demonstrate outstanding support and flexibility for employees who proudly serve their country in the National Guard and Reserve.

“Receiving the Patriot Award is a tremendous honor,” Richardson said. “Our employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve are an inspiration to all of us at Air Methods and it is a privilege to do whatever we can to support their service to our country.”

Richardson and Delaney were nominated by Major General Michael Navrkal of the Nebraska Army National Guard, who is also a Nebraska Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) volunteer. The Air Methods leaders received the award on Nov. 30 for their support of their employees who serve in the Reserves and National Guard.

“Working day and night with medical emergencies, Dave and Marty know how important it is to have skilled and experienced crew members they can rely on for their missions,” Navrkal said. “That is why I was proud to nominate them for their steadfast support of our Guard and Reserve service men and women who stand ready and able to respond immediately to emergencies in the communities in which we live and for missions while deployed overseas.”

The Patriot Award recognizes employers who go above and beyond the minimum scheduling and compensation accommodations for employees enlisted in the National Guard or Reserve. Just a few of these exemplary actions may include:

• Maintaining contact with Guard and Reserve employees during training or mobilizations
• Public and/or company-wide recognition of employees’ Guard or Reserve service
• Publishing military leave and mobilization policies
• Awarding differential pay and insurance benefits during training and mobilizations
• Support of Guard and Reserve employee families

“Air Methods is committed to hiring active and former members of our military,” said Heather Dumas, Air Methods’ senior vice president of human resources. “This award is a recognition of that commitment and hopefully encourages other employers to actively recruit and hire these skilled, hard-working and valuable contributors to company-wide success.”

The award is a prerequisite for nomination for other U.S. Department of Defense awards, including the Freedom Award, which is presented by the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon.

“The Patriot Award is a Department of Defense Certificate of Appreciation to distinguish employers who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees who serve in the National Guard or Reserve components, who—like the citizen warriors before them—have answered their nation’s call to serve,” said Darrel Williamson, chairman, Colorado State Committee of ESGR, who presented the award to Richardson and Delaney. “Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units, and it’s a pleasure for me to recognize Dave and Marty, as well as Air Methods, for their unwavering support of their employees’ patriotic duties.”

About Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
ESGR, a Department of Defense program, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call 800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.

About Air Methods
Air Methods (www.airmethods.com) is the leading air medical service, delivering lifesaving care to more than 70,000 people every year. With nearly 40 years of air medical experience, Air Methods is the preferred partner for hospitals and one of the largest community-based providers of air medical services. United Rotorcraft is the Company’s products division specializing in the design and manufacture of aeromedical and aerospace technology. Air Methods’ fleet of owned, leased or maintained aircraft features more than 450 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.

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SOURCE Air Methods