Local paramedic recognized for 20 years of service

Shane Cook of Air Evac Lifeteam in Farmington was recently recognized for achieving 20 consecutive years of National EMS Certification. (Submitted photo)

Shane Cook, a flight nurse/paramedic with Air Evac Lifeteam in Farmington, was recently recognized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) for achieving 20 consecutive years of National EMS Certification.

According to NREMT, to maintain his status as a Nationally Registered Paramedic, Cook completed, on a biennial basis, the most comprehensive recertification program for EMS professionals in America.

“By maintaining his National EMS Certification and completing regular continuing education courses, Cook has demonstrated his commitment to providing exceptional prehospital emergency medical care. This distinction is an honor held by few EMS professionals,” said an NREMT spokesperson.

Cook became Nationally Registered as an EMT in 2000 and as a Paramedic in 2002, and has been serving Farmington, St. Francois County, and surrounding communities since 2009. Prior to this position, Cook worked for Abbott EMS and St. Anthony’s Medical Center ER as an EMT, St. Louis Fire Department and Gateway Ambulance as a paramedic, and Des Peres Hospital ER, ICU, and Cath Lab as an RN before becoming a full-time Flight Nurse with Air Evac Lifeteam. Cook has been a Flight Nurse for Air Evac Lifeteam for 14 years.