OBSERVER Photo by Gregory Bacon County Executive, left, issues a commendation to Ron Hasson for his work in the Emergency Medical Services field.

MAYVILLE – Calling him the “Father of Emergency Medical Services,” Chautauqua County officials gave thanks to Ron Hasson for his half decade of service.

A Harmony resident, Hasson recently retired after 50 years of teaching EMS courses. Among those he taught were County Executive PJ Wendel and Wendel’s own father.

Wendel issued a commendation from his office to Hasson for his service. In the commendation, he notes that Hasson has been a member of the Celoron Fire Department since 1975 and served as fire chief for five years.

Hasson became an Emergency Medical Technician in the spring of 1977 through Jamestown Community College and was asked to return in the fall to be a CPR practical skills instructor. In 1980, Hasson became the senior instructor for EMT refresher classes and in 1982 he was the senior instructor for the original course.

In 1984, Hasson was appointed by the College Board of Trustees as coordinator of EMT training, a position he served until his retirement in January, 2023.

In 1998, Hasson was appointed by the state Department of Health as one of the original 50 instructors from across the state to train EMTs to be certified EMT instructors.

For 46 years, Hasson was a full-time employee at WCA Hospital Services/UMPC Health Care Systems.

After 10 years as an EMT technician and Emergency Room Technician, he joined the All-Star Ambulance Division, retiring as an EMS Resource Manager.

“Mr Hasson was an original Starflight Medic, which created the program in 1986 and flew as a flight medic for seven years before taking on a more administrative role,” Wendel said, citing other boards and commissions that he served on.

After issuing the commendation, Hasson thanked everyone for the kind words.

“It’s very humbling. I’m very honored to be given this award. In EMS we don’t get thanked very often, and to be recognized, I really appreciate it,” he said.