June 5, 2018
For Immediate Release:

With great sadness the Harrison County Emergency Squad announces that Captain Jim Swenskie passed away on duty, Monday June 4th, 2018 after returning from a call on Crooked Run, Harrison County.  Captain Swenskie was in his 29th year of service to the citizens of Harrison County at his passing.
Jim started his career at Harrison County Emergency Squad on January 14, 1990.  He was a decorated paramedic who was honored as the Harrison County Paramedic of the Year multiple times.  His knowledge, skills and dedication to his craft was responsible for positive outcomes of numerous patients that numbered in the thousands.
Captain Swenskie also faithfully served at the Anmoore Volunteer Fire Department and began his public service career in the 1980’s with the West Milford Volunteer Fire Department.  His work ethic and dedication were unmatched; the loss of Jim Swenskie will be felt for years to come.  However, his legacy will live on as Captain Swenskie was personally responsible for training, supervising and mentoring countless providers who were actively serving as doctors, nurses, paramedics and EMT’s throughout our Nation.  One of Jim’s proudest moments was when his daughter Courtney followed in her father’s footsteps and began her career in EMS.
His greatest passion was his family.  He is survived by his wife Matilda, sons James and Joseph, and daughters Courtney and Savannah.
Due to his faithful service, the Harrison County Emergency Squad’s Company 61 station will be named in his honor at a later date.
At this time arrangements are incomplete.

For Media Inquiries:
Contact:
Richard B. Rock, Executive Director
Harrison County Emergency Squad, Inc.
660 Oakmound Rd.
Clarksburg, WV 26301
304-623-6611

From all of us at Star City VFD and EMS our thoughts and prayers go out to our Harrison County brothers and sisters at this time. We ask that everyone keep our brother’s co-workers and family in your thoughts as well during this difficult time.

WDTV’s COVERAGE of EMS Chief John Hitchens’ First Responder of the Month Award.

As we near the end of EMS week for 2018 all of us at Star City Fire and EMS look back on the week we’ve had and are truly grateful. A special thanks to SERIOUS DIESEL PERFORMANCE for the gift of lunch and dinner today for our EMS staff. We also learned today that our EMS Chief and Administrator John Hitchens has been recognized as the “EMS Administrator of the Year” by the WV State Office of EMS.  We are so thankful for our 100% volunteer fire department members and our paid EMS staff.  We are learning, training, and are growing together.  The Star City Volunteer Fire Department and EMS Division are a family and we can’t wait to see what great things the future holds.

Want to be a part of our family and help the citizens of Monongalia County in the process? We’d love to meet you and are always looking for new members of our fire department family. Visit our RECRUITMENT page for more information. From all of us at The Star City Volunteer Fire Department and EMS divisions we hope you have a blessed Memorial Day weekend.

And as always, “LIKE” us on FACEBOOK and follow us on INSTAGRAM by searching ‘starcityvfd’

Pictured left to right – Mon County Commissioner Tom Bloom, Tim Manchin, John Hitchens, Taylor Downs, Jared Lamb.

EMS Chief and Administrator John Hitchens accepting the Manchin Law Office First Responder Award. “I’m truly humbled to have received this award” – Chief Hitchens.  Proceeds of the award have been donated to the Pantry Plus Program in Monongalia County. Special thanks to the Manchin Law Office for making this happen!

And as always, ‘LIKE’ us on FACEBOOK and follow us on INSTAGRAM by searching ‘starcityvfd’

.

Statement from our EMS Chief, John Hitchens:

“Today marks the start of EMS Week and is definitely a special time here at Star City Fire & EMS. The management and field staff of Star City EMS work tirelessly to always put “PATIENT CARE FIRST” in all we do and in every decision we make. We have made great strides over the past year and are looking forward to what this next year brings. As we continue to expand our operation with experienced providers and state of the art equipment we do everything we can for the residents of Monongalia County and the entire North Central Region. None of this would be possible without our EMS staff and it certainly doesn’t take a “special week” to realize how much they are appreciated and valued at our organization. If you happen to see some of our EMS staff out this week, please take the time to thank them for all their hard work and dedication.”

From all of us at Star City Volunteer Fire Department we wish all EMS personnel from our agency and across the nation a safe and happy EMS week! Thank you for all you do for the communities and patients you serve.

And as always, “LIKE” us on FACEBOOK and follow us on INSTAGRAM by searching “starcityvfd”

Congratulations to EMS Chief John Hitchens on being selected the Manchin Law Office 1st Responder Award recipient! We at SCVFD are thankful for his diligent work as EMS Chief and can not think of a more deserving person to be honored with this award.

And as always, ‘LIKE’ us on FACEBOOK and follow us on Instagram by searching “starcityvfd”