Danny Lawson scholarship created at Cleveland State Community College

 From left are Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis; Shawn Fairbanks, BCEMS director; Lawson; Alisha Fox and Dr. Bill Seymour of Cleveland State; Commissioner Bill Winters; and Commission Chairman Johnny Mull. BANNER PHOTO, ALLEN MINCEY

Danny Lawson scholarship created at Cleveland State Community College

ALLEN MINCEY
Wednesday, July 21, 2021 12:00 AM
Employees, All, Community, Service-Learning, Students

This article was published by Allen Mincey at the Cleveland Daily Banner on July 20, 2021
As the Bradley County Commission approved a partnership with Cleveland State Community College to waive the cost for certain medical personnel to work toward being a paramedic, the commission also thanked the man who headed up the local ambulance service for several years for his service with these men and women.
 
Danny Lawson, former director of the Bradley County Emergency Medical Service, was honored at Monday’s commission meeting. He had recorded 36 years of service with the BCEMS prior to his retirement a few years ago.
 
“I was hired April 15, 1980, as a citizen off the street,” Lawson remembered, becoming an EMT later that year. “I left reluctantly, but I felt physically and mentally that I wasn't capable to do the job that is required to do, and I've deliberately stayed away, so that I didn't leave a shadow.”
 
What Lawson did leave was a legacy, one that those at the ambulance service follow each day.
 
“In my tenure, I think I’ve seen the best paramedics come through the state of Tennessee in our system, and I’d like to see that continue, so I appreciate Cleveland State for extending their services in this way,” he added. “I probably don’t deserve the honor, as I was honored to serve here, but I do appreciate the honor.”
 
As he did as director, Lawson praised his team of medical professionals, and he did likewise at the commission meeting when it was announced that the governing body had agreed to work with Cleveland State to offer AEMTs (Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians) the opportunity to enroll at the school’s paramedic program at no cost to the students.
 
“You know, the instructors at Cleveland State …. most of that came from out of our system, and they know what it is to be a servant,” Lawson said. “They have a desire to make a difference, and by investing in those local EMTs and Advanced EMTs, and allowing them to go on with paramedic school, you help us provide the best level of services.”
 
The agreement is for the AEMTs currently in the paramedic program to have this opportunity for an initial term of two years, with three additional one-year optional renewal periods. 
 
Shawn Fairbanks, who succeeded Lawson when he retired, said that he wanted to present the former director with a plaque to honor his service to the county, and wanted to do it publicly at a commission meeting. The honor includes naming a scholarship at CSCC for Lawson.
 
“Mr. (Bill) Winters has always wanted me to do something, to name something for Danny Lawson and all his years of service for Bradley County,” Fairbanks said, referring to the county commissioner. “So, we have decided, with Cleveland State’s permission and with Miss Alicia Fox in our discussions, that it is with much appreciation and gratitude that we announce, on July 19, 2021, that the Director Danny Lawson Scholarship needs to be enacted by Bradley County and Cleveland State Community College. Both entities are grateful for the dedication that he showed during his years of service.”
 
CSCC President Dr. Bill Seymour said the scholarship is “a great example of how community organizations can come together for the benefit of the whole community, so we're happy to be a part of this. And so, we're very honored to name the scholarship [for Danny Lawson], and that it will be something that hopefully we do for many, many years to come, and hopefully this is something that will help answer the question that we've had in terms of training individuals to be paramedics, and for individuals to be satisfied and stay here in our community and continue along providing service to helping the citizens of this county."
 
Seymour added, “So, on behalf of the Cleveland State, we're very thankful to be a part of this and again, congratulations on the scholarship. It is well deserved.”
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