Jessica Cambridge has been named the Virginia Jaycees Outstanding Young Emergency Medical Services Responder of 2015.

According to a release from the Farmville Jaycees, the award is given as a part of the Outstanding Young Virginian program sponsored by the state chapter of the Jaycees. “The specific purpose of the Outstanding Young Emergency Medical Services Responder is to promote greater public awareness of and appreciation for those who serve to save lives in their community. Whether volunteer or paid, these individuals provide an essential invaluable service to the local community,” the release stated.

Cambridge, a Farmville resident, has served as a member of the Prince Edward Volunteer Rescue Squad (PEVRS) for 16 years. She’s averaged about 600 hours of service and nearly 400 calls during the past year, the release stated. “She has previously been recognized as a Farmville Jaycees Squad Person of the Year and a recipient of the VFW Paramedic Award.”

It’s such an honor to be nominated for any award, of course, but it’s so humbling to be recognized on a state level for something that is so near and dear to my heart,” Cambridge said. “Nursing may be my career, but EMS is my passion; It has been for 20 years now.”

Cambridge said that the rescue squad is her second family, “providing the foundation for education and experiences that I just can’t put into words. Being chosen for an award of this magnitude just validates the idea that I’ve made a difference somewhere along the way.”

“Our chapter is very familiar with Jessica’s service to the local community as a past recipient of the Farmville Jaycee Squad Person of the Year Award,” said Farmville Jaycees President Cam Patterson. “Jessica is certainly a citizen leader that continues to make an impact and we could not be more proud.”

“I’m tickled to death about it,” said Bill Hogan, president of the PEVRS, who nominated Cambridge for the award. “When he [Patterson] told us about it, [Jessica] came to my mind right off the bat … She’s the one person that’s been around the squad here, that’s been faithful for years and years and years and really deserves it and does a lot for the squad, runs a lot of calls.”

In submitting her nomination to the Virginia Jaycees for consideration, Hogan commented on Cambridge’s loyalty to family, loyalty and honesty to the rescue squad and her determination to become a better person as she strives to be a lifelong learner to improve her career in the medical field.

According to the release, Cambridge has participated in mission trips with the Friends of Barnabas organization.

“This award further highlights the positive relationship that the Farmville Jaycees has had with the … rescue squad. The Farmville Jaycees, in September 1968, extended an invitation to the community to formulate plans for the Prince Edward Rescue Squad. This relationship continues today with the annual presentation of the Farmville Jaycees Squad Person of the Year award,” the release stated.

Cambridge will formally receive her award in November.