Maryland EMS Winners Honored Tuesday

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- In honor of Emergency Medical Services Week, several Marylanders are being honored for their quick thinking and brave actions.

Jessica Kartalija has more.

A room filled with heroes, each with a story to tell.

"When the call came in, it was mid-afternoon, blizzard conditions, winds gusting 40-60 miles per hour and the lady had fallen two flights of stairs," said one.

In addition to honoring their own, the Maryland Institute for Emergency Services honors men and women who they say acted as stars in emergency situations.

"They are heroes 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year," said Kathryn Hagan.

Like 10-year-old Maggie McCormick.

"We were coming home from my grandparents' house when all of a sudden my mom said her stomach was hurting," McCormick said.

"I experienced the most excruciating pain I had ever felt in my life and I realized I was unable to drive the vehicle.  I pulled the car over and realized I needed to call 911 but I wasn't able to talk," said her mom.

Maggie McCormick quickly called 911 and was able to save her mom.

"We are extremely proud of Maggie.  We couldn't be more proud.  She did a great job. The younger siblings were very nervous and she was able to keep everybody calm and keep me calm, too," her mom said.

"It was really scary," Maggie McCormick said.

McCormick and 11 other civilians were honored for their quick thinking and bravery that saved the lives of others.

Four of the honorees are under the age of 14. 

Maryland EMS Award winners are nominated and awarded by their peers.