Two Trinity Health Of New England EMS Leaders Receive Statewide Honors

September 24, 2026

The Connecticut EMS Advisory Board Council of Regional Presidents has announced the recipients of the 2026 Connecticut EMS Awards. John Pettini, DO, Chief of EMS for Trinity Health Of New England Mobile Healthcare, will receive the Physician of the Year Award. Bernie Meehan, Vice Chairman of the Trinity Health Of New England Mobile Healthcare Board and retired deputy chief of the Danbury Fire Department, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.

John Pettini, DO, Chief of EMS for Trinity Health Of New England Mobile Healthcare, will receive the Physician of the Year Award.

Dr. Pettini is being recognized for his leadership in EMS education, protocol development and medical oversight. His work has helped prepare EMS providers to deliver safe, effective pre-hospital care while strengthening clinical education throughout the region.

Pettini also led the implementation of prehospital whole blood transfusion in the region, allowing critically injured patients experiencing severe blood loss to receive this potentially life-saving treatment before arriving at the hospital.

Bernie Meehan, Vice Chairman of the Trinity Health Of New England Mobile Healthcare Board will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.

For more than 40 years, Meehan has served Connecticut’s EMS community as a paramedic, instructor, leader and advocate. A pioneer of paramedic care in Fairfield County, he has held leadership roles on local, regional and state EMS, health and public safety boards and committees while mentoring generations of EMS providers.

Meehan also co-founded Connecticut’s Critical Incident Stress Management Team and has participated in more than 400 debriefings supporting first responders following traumatic events. Through education, outreach and advocacy, he has helped expand access to behavioral health support for first responders throughout the state.

The Connecticut EMS Awards have recognized EMS professionals and supporters of the state’s EMS system since 1983. The awards will be presented during the EMSPRO/FIREPRO Conference at Mohegan Sun Resort Casino on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, at 6 p.m. The ceremony is free and open to the public.