By T. Scott Boatright
The Ruston Fire Department on Friday received the 2026 Louisiana EMS Fire/EMS Service of the Year Award at the Louisiana EMS Education Conference & Expo at the Shreveport Convention Center.
“This award is a reflection of the commitment and teamwork of our entire department,” the RFD said on social media. “We are thankful for the support of our community, our partners and everyone who helps us fulfill our mission each day.”
The Ruston Fire Department (RFD) operates as a dual agency, meaning it serves as the city’s fire department and provides emergency Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance services with 31 paramedics out of a total 51-person career roster.
Ruston was represented by a six-member team at the event — Driver/Paramedic Abigail Henkel, Capt./Paramedic Michael Summerville, Driver/Paramedic Taylor Foster, Firefighter/Paramedic Bradley Newcombe, Capt. Paramedic Cade Griswold and Firefighter/Paramedic Student Hayden Phillips.
RFD Director of Emergency Medical Services Davis Wells said that earning the title began with the work they do daily before being nominated by their peers.
“It was based on nominations, and then there was a committee that gathered information and then used a grading system based off those nominations,” Wells said. “There were multiple basic awards given out, like Instructor of the Year, Fire and EMS Service of the Year. I wasn’t there, but I’m sure that they were broken up into Public and Private Service of the Year categories, and that’s how the departments are funded — public or private.”
Wells admitted being honored by fellow firefighters and EMS personnel from across the state, along with the public the RFD serves, was meaningful.
“We’re greatly appreciative to the officials that put on the conference to recognize our agency for providing the level of services for the people who need us and call us when they do.
“Getting some recognition from our working peers around the state is great and it shows us that we’re doing the right things and are on the right path,” Wells said. “And those are wonderful feelings to have.”
Wells added that specific thought went into choosing the members of the six-person group representing the RFD.
“We looked for a group of individuals who all were a different group of people that were a good representation of different levels within the department as far as their experience and levels of service to EMS,” Wells said. “When they were there at the conference, there was a skills competition they participated in against other attendees of the conference. And they had educational classes. It seemed like they all had a good time.”
Ruston Fire Department’s 60-plus full-time members operate out of three stations. These members provide fire protection, full-transport Advanced Life Support Emergency Medical Services, hazardous materials response, vehicle extrication, water rescue and fire prevention education.
The RFD has a Class 1 rating with the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana. A rating of 10 means no fire protection, and a rating of 1 is the best fire protection, which translates into lower homeowner and business insurance rates.
