EMS official earns honor from state

Assistant Director Michael Clements of Bedford County Emergency Medical Services receives a certificate of appreciation and recognition from Tennessee Public Safety Commissioner David Mitchell. Clements was one of 22 public safety responders honored Thursday in Nashville. From left are Brig. Gen. Max Haston of Tennessee National Guard; Mitchell; Clements; and Bedford County Emergency Management Agency Director Scott Johnson.
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Tennessee Department of Safety and the state Office of Homeland Security held a Law Enforcement and First Responder Recognition Ceremony at the old Supreme Court chambers at the State Capitol building.

"I was very pleasantly surprised and quite honored to get that recognition," Clements told the Times-Gazette Friday. Clements said he was pleased that Homeland Security and the governor's office were recognizing "boots on the ground" responders and noted that the honorees included many different types of agencies and responders.

The ceremony was held to remember the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and recognize the contributions of public safety first responders. Each of the 11 Homeland Security Districts in Tennessee selected two first responders to be recognized who had demonstrated outstanding service to their communities and public safety. In District 6, the six-county district that includes Bedford County, Clements was one of the honorees. The other was from Coffee County. First responders at the ceremony included EMS, law enforcement, emergency management, fire, and rescue personnel.

Clements was recognized for his contributions and leadership at Bedford County EMS, including the city/county Technical Rescue Team, which handles cave, swift water and high angle situations; and the city/county Special Response Team, which deals with hazardous material incidents.

Clements was nominated by BCEMS Director Chad Graham, who could not attend the ceremony due to illness.

"This is a significant honor for Mike to be one of a small handful of awardees selected from a potential pool of thousands of first responders across the State of Tennessee," said Scott Johnson of Bedford County Emergency Management Agency, who attended the ceremony in Graham's place. "He is truly one of the best of the best. Bedford County is very fortunate to have such a dedicated professional protecting our community."

Clements' wife Jeri is a registered nurse. They live in Shelbyville.