BY DONNA SWICEGOOD

Steve Wooten, one of the original paramedics for Iredell Emergency Medical Services when it was formed 50 years ago and a long-time member of the North Iredell Rescue Squad, was honored with a life membership to the rescue squad and special recognition for his 50 years of service by the North Carolina Rescue Association.

The honors were presented Saturday at the NIRS annual awards dinner at Hunting Creek Preserves.

Terry Foxx, a former president of the state association and a long-time instructor for emergency services, said Wooten epitomizes the words tenure and dedication.

“He’s always there to help people,” Foxx said.

NIRS Chief David Cook referred to Wooten as his “brother from another mother.” Wooten’s contributions to the squad, he explained, go far beyond just answering calls. Wooten provided a listening ear for any member of the squad who needed one. In his role as chaplain, Cook said, Wooten was a spiritual leader and started a program to help first responders deal with some of the traumatic scenes they deal with when answering the call.

Wooten said he didn’t expect these awards, but he knew something was a foot when he walked into the meeting. His three sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren were in attendance.

“I got out of my truck and saw all these people I wasn’t expecting to see,” he said.

Wooten said he never dreamed of making emergency services his career when he became a part of that first group at Iredell EMS. He answered the call for 35 years before retiring, but he couldn’t totally let go of his desire to serve others.

That’s when he joined the rescue squad and again helped those in his community. Echoing a comment Cook made in opening the awards dinner, he said, “it gets in your blood and it’s hard to get it out,” Wooten said.

And after five decades of service in which he saved lives, comforted those in difficult situations and was a rock for his fellow rescue workers, Wooten was humbled by the recognition.

“I am very blessed,” he said.

Deputy Chief Rawdy Cox and Assistant Chief Jason Mullins also paid tribute to Wooten.

“He’s been a blessing and it’s been an honor, Steve,” Cox said.

Mullins touched on the role Wooten has played through his support program, Project Reboot. That program and Wooten gave him the tools to deal with the horrors he’s seen during his career.

Wooten, Mullins said, also was an example of leadership.. “Not just for the squad, but for the entire county,” he said.

The squad also honored its Squadsperson of the Year. Amanda Kennedy, who has been with NIRS since 2016, received the honor, which is voted on by the two dozen members of the squad. Her sister, Morgan, who was last year’s recipient, presented the plaque.

“She goes above and beyond,” Morgan Kennedy said of her sister.

Cook also expressed his appreciation to the Iredell County Board of Commissioners for their decision to fund a new truck for the squad.

Cox said a committee of squad members met and discussed what they wanted and needed in a new truck. That committee, comprised of Cook, Cox, Mullins, Michael Benfield, David Benfield, Robert Kennedy and Jacob Stroud, was also recognized.

Michael Benfield, who served as the main contact for the truck committee, was also recognized for his 25 years of service to the squad. Steve Bunton also received a plaque for 20 years of service.

Cook said members like those on the truck committee, the Kennedy sisters and their parents, and Bunton are the heart of the squad. And the need for those answering the calls continues to grow, he said.

In 2024, the squad answered 1,253 calls and put in more than 1,500 hours of training. Twenty-one of the 24 members are Emergency Medical Technicians and most are certified in a variety of rescue categories such as confined space, swiftwater and high angle.

More volunteers are needed. Cook said it’s a volunteer opportunity that truly makes a difference.

“It gets in your blood,” he said.

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