2025 Florida Ambulance Association Star of Life
Kevin Barker, Paramedic
American Medical Response – Orlando

Kevin began his career in the EMS field in 2013 with AMR Orlando as an EMT. It was clear from the start that he had ambitions to grow, so he quickly enrolled in a paramedic program. Kevin committed to working the only shift available that would accommodate his paramedic course work, which was a 5-day a week shift that began at 4:00 a.m. on a critical care transport unit. Still new to the field, he wasn’t sure if he could handle such a high-pressure role. However, his doubts were soon dispelled as he demonstrated his clinical prowess, adaptability, and genuine desire to learn as much as possible about emergency medicine. Kevin quickly made a name for himself within the organization and soon had paramedics arguing over who was going to get to work with Kevin that day. In 2015, Kevin achieved his goal of becoming a paramedic, and soon after became a BLS, ACLS, and PALS instructor through the AHA. Kevin also became an EMT and paramedic instructor at one of the local colleges where he routinely would go above and beyond for his students, all while being a devoted husband and father.

What continues to set Kevin apart is his unwavering dedication to service. Kevin currently works as a paramedic on the primary 911 transport unit assigned to Orlando International Airport. Kevin is routinely commended for his patient care, bedside manner, and the sense of calm that he brings to each emergency scene. One example of this occurred when an elderly patient fell inside the lobby of the hotel airport. The patient immediately felt a significant amount of pain and was unable to stand. Upon assessment the patient was found to have an open ankle fracture with exposed tendons, absent distal pulses, and a large amount of blood pooling. Kevin began rapid treatment which included hemorrhage control, and splinting of the affected ankle prior to transport. Once the patient was able to be moved, Kevin quickly initiated a trauma alert and began transport to the local trauma center which was approximately 20 minutes away. During this time, Kevin was able to calm the patient and reassure him that he would be receiving the best trauma care that Central Florida could provide. This also calmed the patient’s wife who was present in the ambulance. While Kevin was assessing his patient during the transport, the patient quickly began to decompensate and become hypotensive from the significant amount of blood loss. Kevin quickly intervened and provided appropriate care to the patient and updated the trauma center of their incoming patient. Due to Kevin’s quick actions, calm demeanor, and appropriate patient care, the patient was able to be treated at the trauma center and is expected to make a full recovery.