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Long-time Davie EMS employee Joseph Ashburn has been picked as the new director.

He will continue to serve as a Davie County Medical Examiner.

Ashburn has served Davie County EMS for more than 23 years as a full-time employee. He also served part-time for Yadkin and Hyde counties.

Starting his career with Davie as an EMT-Basic, he has been promoted to EMT-Intermediate, as well as EMT-Paramedic.

Prior to being named director, he served as a field training officer (FTO), assistant EMS supervisor, EMS training coordinator and operations chief/training coordinator.

Ashburn holds his Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) and Child Passenger Safety Technician certifications.  Ashburn oversees the Buckle Up-Davie program and has taught at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center where he shared his expertise in life support education, EMT and paramedics.  He holds multiple instructor certifications at the state and national level.

Over the years, Ashburn has been recognized for his skill and commitment to the industry including Veterans of Foreign Wars Paramedic of the Year, Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center Community Award of Excellence, the John Burwell EMS Award for Excellence and the part-time EMT of the Year for Yadkin County.

“I am truly honored and humbled to be named EMS director for Davie County. I am grateful to the EMS professionals who have served before me, and am thankful to them for their contributions to EMS and the citizens of Davie County. I look forward to continuing to move the agency forward and build on its foundation,” said Ashburn.

Prior to being named director, Ashburn served as the interim director and began his permanent role immediately.