A Polk County EMS worker was honored at the September 3 meeting of the Polk County Board of Commissioners.

Ben Warren, who has served the county for 31 years, was honored by the North Carolina Office of EMS and by the Commissioners.

“Ben is the last of a dying breed in public service – he still lives in the community that he serves and he’s spent 30 years in one service. I can tell you that doesn’t happen often in this day and age,” said Jeff Powell, who is the Western Regional Manager of the North Carolina Office of EMS. “It speaks volumes to his devotion to the citizens of this county and the visitors to this great state.”

After Powell spoke of Warren’s long service to helping others, the Commissioners presented him with a proclamation that thanked him for faithfully serving the residents of Polk County for more than three decades as a paramedic, and “demonstrating exceptional skill, compassion, and dedication in the field of emergency medical services.”

During his distinguished career, Warren responded to countless emergencies with professionalism and commitment, provided critical care to those in need, and played a vital role in safeguarding the health and safety of the community.

The proclamation said that the Board of Commissioners “extends its sincere best wishes to Ben Warren for a fulfilling and well-deserved retirement, with heartfelt thanks for his exemplary service to Polk County.”