Edmonson County's Ashley Ritter Honored as State VFW EMT of the Year

Local EMT Ashley Ritter, was named Kentucky EMT of the Year by the Kentucky Veterans of Foreign War.

Edmonson Voice Report:
On Monday, February 3rd, Kentucky State VFW Commander Bruce Ashley announced that Edmonson County's own Ashley Ritter was selected as the State EMT of the Year. 

The state award comes after Ritter was selected as EMT of the Year in Edmonson County by local VFW Post 6937 on December 10, 2024.

Last week, she was awarded the same honor at the region level, which includes Edmonson and surrounding counties.

Ashley began her EMS career as an Emergency Medical Technician after obtaining her license as part of her Fire Science and Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree Program through Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts.  She began working as an on-call EMT in West Brookfield where she had also served as a volunteer firefighter from age 15.  While finishing college, Ashley worked for MedStar Ambulance in Worcester, Massachusetts.
 
Mrs. Ritter moved to Edmonson County upon graduation from college in May 2016 after serving as a Structural Fire/EMT during the summer of 2015 at Mammoth Cave National Park.  She begin working as a part-time EMT as Edmonson County EMS in May 2016 while also working in the ER at the Medical Center at Bowling Green.  Ashley accepted a full-time position as an EMT at Edmonson County EMS in December of 2016.  In August 2019 Ashley enrolled in the Central Kentucky Paramedic Program in Lexington, KY.  Ashley graduated the program and became licensed as a paramedic in August of 2020.
 
Ashley also obtained a Master’s Degree in Health Emergency Management focused in Disaster Medicine in May 2017 from Anna Maria College.
 
She currently serves the community as a volunteer firefighter/first responder with Kyrock Volunteer Fire Department and as the Edmonson County High School Girls’ Soccer Head Coach.

"The VFW really enjoys recognizing citizens for their roles in protecting our communities called the Community Service Awards each year," said VFW 6937 in a released statement. "Four of our awardees took VFW 5th District honors and advanced to state for consideration and Ashley’s nomination was the one that prevailed."

Ashley resides in the Sweeden community of Edmonson County with her husband Wally and daughter Annabeth.