31st annual Survivors' Reunion

In the fall of 1993, Kent Coxon, the Director of the Sonoma County EMS
Agency (later to become regionalized and named the Coastal Valleys EMS
Agency) and Ken Bradford (Chairman of the Sonoma County Paramedic
Association) met to discuss ways that the Agency and the SCPA could work
together to elevate public and professional awareness. Kent discussed a
Survivors’ Reunion that he had been involved with in Fresno County, prior to
coming to Sonoma County. He described the event whereby survivors of near
catastrophic events such as major trauma or critical medical events that
resulted in sudden death or cardiac arrest were brought together with their
“rescuers” and a “celebration of life” occurred.

Kent and Ken brought the idea to the Board of Directors and membership of
the SCPA. The idea was received whole heartedly and the membership acted
quickly to launch the first annual event in May of 1994. A location was needed
for the Survivors’ Reunion and SCPA member Chris Benziger, an Emergency
Medical Technician and volunteer firefighter at Glen Ellen Fire Department
quickly stepped forward. Chris, a partner in the family owned and operated
Benziger Family Winery offered their beautiful property as the back-drop for the
event. The Benziger Family had always been a supporter of public safety and
once again they stepped up to provide a great location at no cost to the SCPA.

It was realized early on that funding would be needed to assure a successful
event. A Survivors’ Reunion steering committee was organized and one of its
first tasks was to identify potential sponsors and assure funding for the event.
Several local entities and organizations stepped forward in 1994, including
Sonoma Life Support, REACH Air Ambulance, Santa Rosa Junior College, and
the Sonoma County Fire Chiefs’ Association. The first event was a huge
success and precedence was established that the Survivors’ Reunion was
destined to become an annual event.

This year’s sponsors include American Medical Response, REACH Air Medical Services, Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, Sutter Medical Center, LIFEwest, Santa Rosa Fire Fighters Association, Petaluma Fire Department, Coastal Valleys Emergency Medical Services, the Sonoma County Fire Chiefs’ Association, Sonoma Valley Fire District, Sonoma Valley Fire Fighters Association, Oliver's Markets and Bramble and Quail.

Local radio personality Brent Farris, of radio station KZST, was the honorary master of ceremonies for many years, until Ted Williams, News Director at KZST, took over a few years ago. What started as appetizers and “finger food” has now grown to a wonderfully catered meal for the attendees who consist of survivors and their families/friends, rescuers and their families/peers, elected officials and other invited dignitaries. Local radio
personality Brent Farris, of radio station KZST, was the honorary master
of ceremonies for many years, until Ted Williams, News Director at KZST, took over a few years ago. What started as appetizers and “finger food” has now grown to a wonderfully catered meal for the attendees who consist of survivors and their families/friends, rescuers and their families/peers, elected officials and other invited dignitaries.

Each survivor receives a plaque mounted with a photo of
themselves and their rescuers. Each rescuer receives several certificates of
recognition from elected officials, The event also features Alumni, who have
become part of an elite group known as Survivor Ambassadors who meet and
escort the current year’s survivors to the event and act as a liaison between the
survivor and their Rescuers.

The Survivors’ Reunion has grown over the past 30 years and has become the
defining event in Sonoma County for the recognition of the EMS professionals,
the agencies and hospitals that support them.

Also check out other Nonprofit events in Glen Ellen, Meetups in Glen Ellen.