Richards Retiring From Fentress EMS

John Richards is retiring from Fentress County Emergency Medical Services after 44-years on the job.

Richards serves as Fentress County EMS Assistant Director. He said he has mixed feelings about his retirement.

“It’s just kind of bittersweet, I guess you would say,” Richards said. “I really enjoyed my job all the time, and I had some good people to work with. It makes it a lot easier when you have good people with, and I’ve worked some really good people.”

Richards was one of Fentress County’s first paramedics. In 2010, he became one of the first Critical Care Paramedics. Richards said he has seen a lot of changes since his career began.

“When I first started we worked out of the hospital doing ambulance runs,” Richards said. “When we weren’t on an ambulance run, we worked as orderlies in the hospital doing everything orderlies and aides do in the hospital.”

The Fentress County Board of Commissioners honored Richards’ years of service at their Monday night meeting. Richards said even though the County Commission celebrated his work, he feels like he was just doing his job every day.

“It means a lot to me just for the recognition,” Richards said. “But, like I said, it was just my job. I didn’t do anything none of the rest of them has done for the years they’ve been there, also. But I do appreciate the recognition and appreciate the Commissioners and everyone that’s helped us a lot through the years.”