For the first time in recent history, a La Conner town firefighter has been named Skagit County’s “EMS Provider of the Year.”

Captain Annie Avery of the La Conner Volunteer Fire Department was surprised when county officials turned out to present her with the award at the fire department’s regular Wednesday business meeting last week.

Avery has been a volunteer firefighter since 2004, and EMT certified since 2006. She was encouraged to become a firefighter by her father-in-law, retired firefighter Doug Avery, during a summer internship in Burlington while she was a student at Central Washington University.

After college, she moved to La Conner with Adam Avery, who is also a captain and training officer at the fire department.

“We got married right after EMT classes,” Annie Avery said. “So much of what we do is volunteering. It’s a lot of hours.”

When not volunteering as medical officer, Avery works as referral coordinator for the sleep center at Island Hospital, or is on “mom duty” with her two young children.

Skagit County EMS Instructor Bev Riesland, who presented a framed certificate along with the Ron Richardson Life Saving Award to Avery, had to keep the presentation a surprise.

“I had to lie to her about why I was there. I said I was delivering ‘File of Life’s’ to La Conner and I even brought some,” Riesland said. “It’s this magnet with your emergency information that goes on your refrigerator.”

Riesland said Avery was shocked.

“It’s not many times I’ve seen her speechless but she was at a loss for words,” Riesland said.

Avery said it was an honor to be recognized among many great EMTs.

Even though the volunteer field grows harder to make exciting, she said lots of new members have been recently added to the La Conner Fire Department and they are eager to learn.

“We have more ideas and changes to come,” she said. “But it’s great working with the other officers who get along so well. The fire department is a happy home for everybody.”

Avery also credited Fire Chief Josh Morrison as someone who is always giving recognition to his crew and inspires others.

Chief Morrison said he nominated Avery for three main reasons.

“She always practices compassion with patient care and bedside manner, a great leader when it comes to enhancing the fire department and our personnel in the medical field, and taking the role of medical officer to a new level for the town of La Conner,” Chief Morrison said.

Riesland was one of Avery’s instructors in her EMT class, and sees her about four times a year.

“She’s a great asset to your community and doing a wonderful job with the fire department and their training,” Riesland said.