Ga. Paramedic Injured in Crash Dies

Dec. 28, 2009
DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. -- A Douglas County paramedic died early Monday morning after he was involved in a crash, investigators said. Paul Holmes, 37, was responding to a vehicle fire call Saturday night when his unit was involved in the crash, according to Douglas County Communications Director Wes Tallon. Holmes died Monday at Atlanta's Grady Memorial Hospital. Holmes is survived by his wife and daughter.

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. --

A Douglas County paramedic died early Monday morning after he was involved in a crash, investigators said.

Paul Holmes, 37, was responding to a vehicle fire call Saturday night when his unit was involved in the crash, according to Douglas County Communications Director Wes Tallon.

Holmes died Monday at Atlanta's Grady Memorial Hospital.

Holmes is survived by his wife and daughter. He served with Douglas County Fire/EMS since 2008, according to Tallon.

"Paramedics and firemen are a special breed of people who live to save the lives of others. Paul trained as a paramedic/firefighter to achieve that goal, and lost his life in the pursuit of that goal. He will be missed. The entire emergency services community mourns our loss," Douglas County Fire Chief Scott Spencer said in a statement released Monday.

"Serving as a fireman/paramedic/EMT is a calling, and those who respond to the call put their lives on the line every day," said Douglas County Commission Chairman Tom Worthan. "Paul was responding to someone who needed aid, and in doing so, lost his own life. This is unselfish service at the highest level, and we will remember Paul's spirit."

Funeral arrangements are pending, Tallon said.

Copyright 2009 by cbsatlanta.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Firehouse.com Editor's Note:

According to the National EMS Memorial Service, funeral arrangements for Firefighter/Paramedic Paul Holmes are as follows:

Visitation: Thurs., Dec. 31 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Whitley-Garner at Rosehaven Funeral Home, 8640 Rose Ave. in Douglasville, GA 30134. Also Fri., Jan. 1 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Whitley-Garner at Rosehaven Funeral Home.

Service: Sat., Jan. 2 at 2 p.m. at Douglasville 1st Baptist Church, 5900 Prestley Mill Rd.
in Douglasville, GA 30135.

Interment: Sat., Jan. 2 after service, Whitley-Garner at Rosehaven Cemetery at 8640 Rose Ave., Douglasville, GA 30134. An honor processional from the Douglas County Fire/EMS Department will carry and accompany Mr. Holmes from the Church to the internment.

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