Local Paramedic Receives 2025 Star of Life Award For Heroic Actions During Mississippi Tornado
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala.
October 30, 2025
A local paramedic will be honored with the 2025 Star of Life award for his heroic actions while off duty in Mississippi during a recent tornado event.
Matthew “Matt” Magiera an American Medical Response paramedic, was storm chasing when he encountered a scene of devastation and a person critically injured after being thrown more than 300 yards by the storm. He retrieved a medical kit from his vehicle and teamed with the local fire department to convert a fire truck into an emergency transport unit. Magiera stabilized the patient, implemented spinal precautions, and monitored the person’s condition until transferring care to Covington County Hospital.
According to a news release, Magiera, an American Medical Response paramedic, was storm chasing when he encountered a scene of devastation and a person critically injured after being thrown more than 300 yards by the storm. He retrieved a medical kit from his vehicle and teamed with the local fire department to convert a fire truck into an emergency transport unit. Magiera stabilized the patient, implemented spinal precautions, and monitored the person’s condition until transferring care to Covington County Hospital.
“In all my time storm chasing, this was my first time coming across someone critically injured,” Magiera said. “Thankfully, I always carry a bag of medical supplies with me so I can do everything I can if I were to ever come across a situation like this.”
AMR, a division of Global Medical Response, named Magiera one of 32 Stars of Life honorees from among the company’s roughly 34,000 prehospital clinicians, dispatchers, and support personnel. The award recognizes emergency medical professionals whose interventions and leadership have saved lives or significantly advanced community preparedness.
“These individuals represent the highest standards of EMS, consistently exceeding expectations under pressure and making a profound difference where it matters most,” Nick Loporcaro, president and CEO of Global Medical Response, said in the release.
The Stars of Life program, founded by the American Ambulance Association in 1996, spotlights EMS professionals who demonstrate lifesaving care, public health leadership, and engagement with their communities. This year’s recipients will be honored at the American Ambulance Association national celebration Nov. 2–5 in Washington, D.C., where honorees will also meet with members of Congress to discuss the challenges and needs facing emergency medical services.
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