By Mike Cook
The Gadsden Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) of Las Cruces presented the SAR fire safety commendation medal to Las Cruces Fire Department Lt. Matt Hiles, and the SAR emergency medical services medal to LCFD firefighter/medic Eric Palma, Gadsden SAR President Done Williams said in a news release.
“Hiles took on hard assignments involving hazardous materials response programs and personnel,” Williams said. “He has increased the efforts in his assigned area and made an impact for the department and the program. He has temporarily assumed the duties of battalion chief when needed.”
Palma has been an educator for LCFD and for EMT schools in the area, Williams said.
“He has delivered high-level medical care to our citizens,” he said. “He assisted in the growth and development of the department’s Mobile Integrated Health care unit.”
SAR is the largest male linage organization in the United States, according to www.sar.org. SAR consists of 50 societies with more than 500 local chapters, including several international societies, with more than 38,000 members.
Contact Williams at cobracaptain@earthlink.net.