Hill retires from ambulance district

Born on February 28, 1954 in Gideon, the fourth of ten children of William Edison and Mildred Louise Hill, Freddie never thought of being a policeman or of working on an ambulance as he grew up. After graduating from Gideon High School in 1972, Hill was first lured into EMT work by his brother-in-law in 1977. From there police work seemed to naturally follow. Earning his credentials in 1984, Hill was employed by the Malden Ambulance Service in 1977 as well as a reserve police officer for Police Department. He went full time from 1979 until 1988. In October of 1988, an opportunity for a career change came in the form of a telephone call from then Portageville Chief Joe Moore. That call brought Captain Hill and his family to Portageville. He's never looked back.

Being a licensed EMT often comes in handy as a police officer. On more than one occasion his medical training has made the difference between life and death for those he has helped when Hill has been the first to respond to a call. Being a well-known EMT, police officer, and good citizen can have its drawbacks, too. Seldom a night goes by without someone calling his cell phone or dropping by his home with a question or concern even when he is off duty. Whether on duty or off, Hill is ready to help those who call on him in any way he can.

Taking over the duties of crew chief of the New Madrid County Ambulance District's (NMCAD), Portageville Division was a new challenge Hill took on in Feb of 2009, after the death of then crew chief Carol LeSieur. From staffing to scheduling, supply ordering to ambulance maintenance, Hill oversees all of the day-to-day operations of the Portageville branch of the NMCAD. It is a job that requires many hours of dedication and service. The need for a ready ambulance and crew can come at any hour of any day with no concern for lack of sleep or bad weather.

The City , the County will miss Hill's EMT service with the ambulance district, but at least he will continue his service Captain of the Portageville Police Department. Thank You Freddie Hill for the your EMT dedication and service.