Current Stars of Life

We are incredibly proud to announce our American Ambulance Association Stars of Life recipients! These team members have gone above and beyond in their roles and exemplify excellence in EMS.

Stone Volkmer began his journey with Community Care Ambulance, (CCA) on October 17, 2023, starting as a Non-Emergency Transport Operator, while attending EMT school. After earning his EMT certification, he continued advancing his career by becoming a Paramedic—and today, he serves as a Paramedic – Field Training Officer (FTO).

Stone thrives on responsibility and views EMS as the ultimate opportunity to grow and lead. As a trainer, he emphasizes real-world experience and teamwork:

“I feel like people are just told how to do it. I want them to experience, share, and expand. I like to teach and get multiple perspectives—different eyes coming together to get the job done.”

At the heart of Stone’s approach to EMS is a deep commitment to exceptional patient care. He believes that technical skill must go hand-in-hand with compassion, presence, and genuine human connection. Whether leading a call or mentoring new providers, Stone is known for going the extra mile to ensure patients feel seen, heard, and cared for—especially in their most vulnerable moments.

Stone’s passion for EMS began at a young age after a near-death experience. He vividly remembers the paramedics who cared for him during that critical time and later met them again while recovering in the hospital. That encounter left a lasting impression and ultimately inspired him to pursue this career.

Today, he carries that experience with him on every shift—fueling both his clinical excellence and his unwavering dedication to providing the kind of care that truly makes a difference.

Mark Powers began his career with Community Care Ambulance (CCA) in January 2025, bringing with him nearly three decades of service in emergency response and patient care. His journey in EMS began in 1997, when he first became an EMT, later recertifying in 2016.

Mark’s commitment to helping others started well before his EMT career. In 1984, he served on active duty in the U.S. Army as a mechanic and later continued his service in the reserves from 1992 to 2009. During his military career, he also served as a medic—a role that inspired his enduring dedication to patient care and ultimately led him to pursue civilian EMS. In 1997, he joined the fire service, where his passion for serving the community deepened further.

For Mark, the heart of EMS has never been financial reward but rather the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. He describes the fulfillment of seeing patients recover and thrive after receiving care:

“It gave me a good feeling when I would see someone later after caring for them, and I knew I did my job well.”

As a Field Training Officer, Mark is committed to mentoring and preparing the next generation of EMTs. He views training as a way to extend his legacy of compassion, professionalism, and dedication:

“I won’t be an EMT forever, but I can pass my information on to others to help spread the caring.”

Today, Mark is grateful for the opportunity to fulfill his lifelong dream of serving full-time in EMS. He reflects on this milestone with humility and pride: “I’ve always wanted to be a full-time EMT. And here you guys give me the opportunity, and here I am just doing what I’ve always wanted to do.”

Please join us in congratulating them for their dedication, compassion, and professionalism. They truly represent the best of who we are!

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About Community Care Ambulance (CCA) – www.ccan.org

Founded in 1994 through a partnership between local area hospitals, Community Care Ambulance (CCA) was created to provide high-quality, community-based emergency medical services across Northeast Ohio.

Today, CCA operates as a not-for-profit EMS organization delivering 24/7 advanced and basic life support, non-emergency medical transport, and wheelchair services. Our dedicated team of EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, and support staff serves thousands of patients each year with compassion, integrity, and clinical excellence.

CCA continues to invest in innovation, safety, and community engagement, ensuring the highest standard of care for every patient and every call.

About the American Ambulance Association (AAA) – www.ambulance.org

The American Ambulance Association (AAA) represents ambulance services across the nation, advocating for sustainable EMS operations, advancing clinical and operational best practices, and promoting the essential role of mobile healthcare in the U.S. healthcare system. Through leadership, education, and policy engagement, AAA drives excellence in prehospital care and supports providers in delivering life-saving service to their communities.