Phillip Neff has been a dedicated EMT at Falck Southern California for the past three years. Born and raised in Buena Park, California, Phillip developed a passion for medicine at a young age, learning as much as he could about sports medicine and dreaming of becoming a doctor. During high school, he gained valuable experience through an internship program at Kaiser Permanente, where he focused on clinical care.

Since starting his career at Falck, Phillip has worked diligently toward his goal of becoming a paramedic. He has embraced numerous opportunities to teach and mentor others, serving as a Field Training Officer and sharing his knowledge with the next generation of EMTs.

Phillip is being honored for his exceptional response during a challenging call involving a stroke patient. Not only did he correctly identify the patient’s condition, but he also advocated for them at the hospital, expediting care and likely reducing the chance of long-term deficits. His commitment to patient advocacy and clinical excellence exemplifies his dedication to EMS.

Phillip is happily engaged to his fiancée, Alexandrya, and continues to work toward his goal of advancing in the EMS field. His dedication, compassion, and leadership make him a deserving recipient of the Stars of Life award.

Adam Mysona, an Emergency Medical Technician at Falck Rocky Mountain in Colorado, is recognized for his exceptional dedication to the field of emergency services. With a background that includes firefighting and EMS, Adam brings an organized and positive approach to every challenge, excelling in multitasking and team collaboration.

Adam’s commitment to excellence is evident in his role as a Field Instructor at Falck, where he goes above and beyond to prepare his trainees for success. He took the initiative to develop a specialized training packet, ensuring new providers are well-prepared and confident in their skills. As a member of the Safety Team, Adam actively contributes to enhancing workplace safety and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

In addition to his EMT duties, Adam serves as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Clear Creek Fire Authority, where he regularly participates in training sessions and drills to hone his firefighting skills. His proactive leadership and ability to manage high-pressure situations make him an invaluable asset to both his EMS and firefighting teams.

Adam’s contributions to the field have been recognized through multiple awards, including the SBES Career MVP of 2022 and Falck Employee of the Quarter for Q3 2023. His expertise in mass casualty incidents, triage, and scene safety, combined with his fluency in both English and Polish, allows him to serve diverse communities with confidence and compassion.

Despite balancing a rigorous college workload in preparation for paramedic training, Adam continues to give 100% to his role at Falck, always ready to lend a hand and take on new challenges. His dedication to patient care, team development, and community service exemplifies the core values of the EMS profession.

Adam Mysona’s passion for service and unwavering commitment to excellence make him a deserving recipient of the Stars of Life award. His leadership, integrity, and dedication to emergency services continue to positively impact both his team and the community he serves.

Luke Stengler has been an EMT for one year. He began his service in a quaint town in Virginia, before transferring to San Diego in February 2023. Throughout his tenure, Luke has consistently showcased his exemplary skills as an EMT. Yet, it was on April 1st, 2023, that his dedication and bravery truly shone through.

On this fateful day, the assigned crew on BLS5 comprised of EMT-B Kristine Kokkinos and EMT-B Luke Stengler. While en route to another assignment, they unexpectedly stumbled upon an accident. Swiftly surveying the situation, they halted to provide assistance. In their rapid response, both EMTs ensured scene safety by positioning their ambulance as a protective buffer against incoming traffic, thereby ensuring a safer environment for all present. The duo then proceeded to assess everyone involved, simultaneously relocating vehicles to the shoulder, clearing the main traffic lanes.

Their most poignant moment arose when they encountered a distressed individual, who had crashed his vehicle into the guardrail of an overpass bridge in a tragic attempt to end his own life. As the BLS5 crew approached to offer aid, this individual abruptly ran towards the bridge railing with the intent of leaping. CHP reports and witness testimonies confirm that as the man jumped, both EMT Kokkinos and Stengler, showcasing immense courage and disregarding their own safety, grasped him mid-air. They nearly plummeted off the side of the bridge, which towers 60-70 feet above a bustling freeway. Their unwavering grip and determination ensured that they did not let this individual fall to an untimely demise. Both EMTs displayed a heroic act, risking their lives for someone they had never met, who had made a grievous choice.

Originally from San Diego, Luke is currently advancing his education by pursuing a bachelor’s degree through the University of Arizona online. Off duty, he passionately participates in a hockey league alongside his high school teammates and hones his skills in jiu-jitsu.

The Falck team extends heartfelt gratitude to Luke Stengler for his unwavering commitment to both the organization and the communities we serve. His courage and dedication are truly inspiring.

Michael’s dedication to the community transcends standard Paramedic responsibilities. His actions on that pivotal day truly embody the spirit of a hero, and showcase the genuine heart of a first responder.

EMT Kristine Kokkinos has dedicated her EMS skills and expertise to the residents of San Diego County for the last two years. In this relatively short span, she has impacted the lives of hundreds.

On April 1, 2023, her commitment to the role was dramatically put into practice. While en route to another assignment, Kristine and her partner, EMT Luke Stengler, chanced upon a serious accident scene. Without hesitation, they took command of the situation and positioned their ambulance as a protective barrier from ongoing traffic, making the scene safer for everyone involved.

Their rapid assessment led them to prioritize the victims and clear the traffic lanes. However, one individual, reportedly intoxicated and vocal about his intent to end his life, dramatically accelerated his vehicle and crashed into the guardrail of an overpass. As the crew approached him, the man leapt up and dashed for the bridge’s edge. Witnesses and the California Highway Patrol recounted that as he vaulted over the side, shouting his suicidal intent, both Kristine and Luke, without a second thought for their own safety, reached out and caught him in midair. Teetering on the edge, with a 60-70 ft. drop onto active freeway lanes below, the two EMTs held firm. In doing so, they undoubtedly saved his life.

On a personal note, Kristine has called North County, San Diego home since 2018. She completed her EMT certification at Palomar College and has plans to further her education by pursuing her Paramedic License. Away from the high-intensity world of emergency response, Kristine finds solace at the beach, cherishes moments with her family, and scales heights while rock climbing with friends.

San Diego celebrates and deeply appreciates Kristine Kokkinos for her unwavering commitment and selfless service.

Falck is honored to recognize Victor Hoffer as a 2023 Star of Life.

Rebecca “Becca” Ellis, a dedicated EMT at Falck Mobile Health, exhibited extraordinary valor and expertise during a critical incident at a jiu-jitsu studio. Upon being dispatched to a Code 3 for a cardiac arrest and realizing they were mere moments away, Becca and her partner Austin arrived on scene in less than a minute. Racing to the second floor, Becca found the patient suspended upside-down, with alarmed peers shouting about his lack of breath. Swiftly assessing the situation, she had the patient set down and confirmed he was pulseless and not breathing. Without hesitation, Becca initiated life-saving chest compressions while Austin prepared the AED and BVM. Their rapid actions and precise protocols, which included a successful shock delivery after initially receiving a “no shock advised” signal from the AED, led to the patient regaining consciousness and breathing autonomously.

By the time they arrived at the hospital, the patient was not only stable but engaged in heartfelt conversations, expressing deep gratitude for Becca and Austin’s outstanding efforts. Their quick thinking and resolute actions had transformed a potentially tragic situation into a story of hope and recovery.

At just 19 years old and with only seven months of experience as an EMT, Becca’s passion for her profession is evident. Outside of her life-saving role, she is a fervent advocate for mental and physical health, a talented artist, and an outdoor enthusiast. Furthermore, she is dedicated to her education, always eager to expand her knowledge in EMS. With aspirations of potentially joining the fire service and a clear devotion to her loved ones, Becca’s off-shift moments are spent cherishing her family, friends, and relaxation.

The Star of Life award is a testament to Becca Ellis’s remarkable skills, determination, and the bright future that surely lies ahead for her in EMS.

During a recent family vacation, Paramedic Jessica Van Der Merwe was exploring the streets of the Bahamas on a moped. As she rode, she witnessed a vehicle crash at a high rate of speed; it subsequently rolled and caught on fire. Noticing that the flaming vehicle was leaking fuel and poised to explode, Jessica swiftly alerted nearby people to move away, hoping to prevent further injuries. Moments later, the vehicle exploded.

Inside the sedan were a father, mother, and teenage girl. Without the immediate and brave actions of Jessica and other volunteers, the family would have perished. These rescuers managed to extricate the family through the missing back window, immobilize them using makeshift materials such as a piece of wood and a door (in lieu of a backboard), and provide triage and treatment until the ambulances arrived.

When the ambulances reached the scene, the injured were lifted over a retaining wall to facilitate their transport. Recognizing the severity of the teenage girl’s injuries, Jessica aided the ambulance crew in loading her. She then addressed the girl’s compromised airway, which was due to a fractured jaw, prioritizing her immediate transport to a suitable hospital. Throughout this, Jessica also had to manage the scene, informing bystanders that some of her necessary medical interventions might be distressing to watch. Furthermore, she dealt with the intoxicated driver of the crashed vehicle, who became a hindrance to his family’s care.

After a seemingly endless wait, a third ambulance arrived to transport all the family members to the hospital. With the family safely on their way, Jessica and her own family resumed their moped journey. Now in the dark and facing the added challenges of no headlights and being chased by local dogs who weren’t thrilled to see them out at night, they were fortunate to be escorted safely home by compassionate locals. There, they could finally reflect on the day’s dramatic events and get some much-needed rest.

Carol Boies has proudly served as an EMT at Falck Northwest Ambulance for more than four years. Residing in Salem, Oregon with her family, Carol continues her committed service at Falck Northwest.

In May 2023, Carol and her partner were dispatched to a harrowing scene: a 9-year-old girl, showing signs of abuse, was discovered unconscious, face down in cold bathwater. Upon assessment, the young patient was in a persistent PEA state and her body temperature had dropped significantly. Without hesitation, Carol and her paramedic partner initiated full ACLS and CPR. Despite their intense efforts over 45 minutes, the child’s rhythm remained unchanged. However, they noted a persistent and steady nominal ETCO2 reading. As Carol consistently delivered high-quality CPR, her partner successfully established an airway.

Despite the lack of observable improvement in the patient’s condition, the team made the decisive choice to transport her to the hospital, holding onto the hope that her cold presentation might prove beneficial in a medical setting.

Upon arrival at Salem Hospital, the young girl was immediately placed on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), resulting in the return of her pulses. Her recovery journey continued at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), where she showed remarkable progress. Recently, she was discharged from the hospital, not only capable of speaking and communicating but also actively participating in an ongoing investigation with law enforcement.

The successful recovery of this child stands as a testament to the impeccable CPR skills, judicious decisions, and unyielding persistence displayed by Carol and her partner. Their swift actions not only saved a young life but also paved the way for the wheels of justice to turn. Above all, this young girl has been given a second chance at life, and thanks to the heroism of Carol and her partner, her future looks promising.

EMT Austin Baffa is being honored as a Star of Life for saving a patient in cardiac arrest.

He recounts, “My partner and I were dispatched to a Code 3 unconscious patient at a Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym in Irvine, California. We were down the street and were upgraded to a full arrest and were notified by fire that they would be delayed. Prior to the call, we were practicing a ‘first on-scene’ full-arrest scenario and the call dropped as we finished our practice scenario. Upon arrival, we were flagged down by bystanders. My partner ran upstairs to begin her assessment while I grabbed the trauma and AED bag. Upon patient contact, we determined that they were pulseless, apneic with cyanosis and death rattles. My partner began CPR while I set up the AED. After a few minutes of high-quality CPR, we were able to get a shockable rhythm on the patient, ultimately achieving ROSC. The patient then began to throw up, at which point we cleared their airway and stabilized them. It was at this point that the fire department arrived to assist. By the time we loaded up the patient, they were fully oriented and in good spirits. It was later discovered that the patient sustained no brain damage and is making a full recovery.”

As luck would have it, before working as partners on the ambulance, Austin and his partner and fellow Star of Life, Becca, went to school together. During training, they spent time practicing just such skills and scenarios prior to their time working together at FALCK.

Austin spends his free time surfing, hiking, and going to the gym. He is active in his community and prioritizes his mental, physical, and emotional health. He is currently working toward a career as a Firefighter/Paramedic.