Grand Canyon National Park's Lead Helitack and Paramedic, Eric Graff, Wins National Award

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – Tenacious. Diligent. Innovative. These attributes are only a few of the reasons why Eric Graff, Lead Helitack and paramedic at Grand Canyon National Park, received the inaugural Tom Clausing Aviation All Risk Programs Award.

This national award, named in honor of former Grand Canyon Paramedic Tom Clausing, “recognizes an individual or organization who shows exemplary qualities in the area of all risk services.” Tom Clausing worked at Grand Canyon for six seasons, striving to advance Grand Canyon’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the relationship of rangers, firefighters, and pilots. Tom lost his life in a helicopter crash in Flagstaff, AZ while providing care to an injured firefighter. The award that bears his name honors anyone who, like Tom, works tirelessly to improve provider skills and further aviation hazards programs.

Currently the Lead Helitack at Grand Canyon, Eric Graff works with coworkers, rangers, and pilots to ensure the highest level of patient care while managing risks and maintaining efficiency throughout missions. Eric also established an interagency course for fireline EMS resources in the Southwest. This program ensures that EMS providers can work safely in the harsh environment of a wildland fire while effectively providing care to firefighters. With his expertise as an NPS paramedic and helicopter manager, Eric also played an important part in developing the new Medical Incident Report, found in the 2014 Incident Response Pocket Guide and the new ICS-206 Wildland Fire, Medical Plan form.

Eric has saved several lives in his career and will save many more by teaching and sharing his skills. Jay Lusher, Grand Canyon’s Chief of Fire and Aviation feels strongly that Eric “characterizes the Tom Clausing Aviation All Risk Program Award in all aspects of his actions.” This is a well-deserved award for the humble, competent, and hardworking Eric Graff.