Staff Report

With a combined 51 years of service to the citizens of Lawrence County, Don and Connie Christian recently retired from Southeast Ohio Emergency Medical Service District (SEOEMS).

The Ohio Public Employment Retirement System approved both for disability retirement effective Dec. 1 due to unrelated illnesses.

Don and Connie are both graduates of Symmes Valley High School.

Don began working for SEOEMS after taking his initial EMT training in 1978.

He joined the Windsor Township Volunteer Fire Department in 1974 and developed a passion for emergency services.

In 1984 Don was named chief of the fire department and still holds that position.

“I worked with the best people in the business; if I could, I wouldn’t trade a minute of it,” Don said of his years with SEOEMS.

Connie echoed her husband.

“I wouldn’t trade a minute of it either,” she said.

Connie began her career with SEOEMS in 1985 after enrolling in a basic EMT class in 1984.

In 1988 she successfully completed the paramedic course and received her state certification as a paramedic.

The Christians live on County Road 36 in Windsor Township with their daughter,

Marti, who is a junior at Symmes Valley High School.