Finney County recognizes Bob Prewitt for his decades of EMS service with facility naming

By SCOTT AUST / Greater Garden City

In recognition of his more than 50 years of service, the Finney County Commission has named the new Finney County Health Department and EMS facility as the “Finney County Health Department and Robert D. ‘Bob’ Prewitt EMS Facility.”

The County recently completed a joint health department/EMS facility at 2515 N. Eighth St., which provides dedicated space for both departments.

On Monday, Commissioners approved a resolution noting Prewitt’s decades of service to EMS through direct service, leadership and education and described his work as helping to shape the development of EMS in Kansas and in establishing training and certification opportunities in Finney County and western Kansas.

Clearly moved, Prewitt thanked commissioners.

“It’s been a long time since I stood here but I recognize a lot of you,” he said. “Without your support, this could never happen. Starting about 1976, we worked pretty hard together. It’s not a singular deal, it’s a County deal, and I’m proud to be a part of that. I appreciate this more than you know.”

According to the resolution, Prewitt’s EMS career started in Winfield, KS, in 1970 where he assumed leadership in the ambulance service which consisted of Bob, a first aid instructor and four part-time college students serving as ambulance drivers. Between 1974 and 1975, Prewitt received advanced trauma training from a University of Kansas Medical Center trauma physician and became a State of Kansas-certified EMS instructor.

Prewitt taught early EMT courses at Southwestern College and helped train groups of new EMS instructors who then expanded EMT education and certification opportunities across the state.

After arriving in Garden City, Prewitt worked with Garden City Community College to establish EMS education and certification programs, and, according to the resolution, helped build a local and regional training pathway for EMS personnel.

Prewitt also served on a Kansas legislative committee focused on strengthening EMS programs and improving emergency medical services in rural communities.

“Bob’s impact on Finney County cannot be measured only by the number of years he served,” the resolution reads. “His legacy is reflected in the EMTs, paramedics, and instructors he trained; the EMS education programs he helped establish; and the emergency medical services available to our community today.”

Commissioner Vicki Germann thanked Prewitt for his work, noting that she worked for Fry Eye Associates when it was based in the hospital just down the hall from Fry.

“I remember you as always being not only so dedicated to your profession, but you were also dedicated to teaching others and working with others and passing along what you had learned, and that’s so valuable. I’m really thankful to you for that,” Germann said.

Prewitt thanked the County for its support through the years.

“I think the thing that that I’m happiest about, if anything, is that we had a huge impact on the 19 counties in southwest Kansas,” Prewitt said. “Most people have come back for years and recognize the fact that this group caused that to happen, and I’m proud of that. And I thank you very much for recognizing it.”

A ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening for the new facility will likely be held in early September, according to County Administrator Derek Ramos.