Toward Zero Deaths honors Josh Duda with TZD Star Award
Josh Duda recently recognized by Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths program
BRAINERD, Minn. – Josh Duda was one of 11 individuals recently recognized by Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths program representatives at the 2022 TZD Conference, for their innovative efforts to reduce the number of traffic deaths and serious injuries in the state. Duda is a flight paramedic with North Memorial Ambulance and Air Care in the Brainerd/Baxter region.
Duda received the TZD Emergency Medical and Trauma Services Star Award. He was recognized for his efforts to save lives in the air and on the ground as a paramedic and educator. Josh is a subject matter expert in occupant protection, a field training officer, safety advocate, innovative leader and a great role model for traffic safety.
TZD Star Awards are given annually to recognize those who display excellence in engineering, enforcement, emergency medical and trauma services, education, child passenger safety and judicial/court systems. They have shown leadership and creativity with extraordinary efforts to improve traffic safety and build partnerships with others working towards the same goal.
“Josh is well deserving of this award,” said Kristine Hernandez, statewide TZD program coordinator. “He has been a passionate traffic safety advocate for more than 25 years. He has been involved in the local TZD coalition for more than 20 years, educating the public in occupant protection and the importance of always putting on your seat belt when driving a vehicle.”
The Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) traffic safety program is an interdisciplinary partnership led by the state departments of health, transportation and public safety. A primary vision of the TZD program is to create a safe driving culture in Minnesota in which motorists support a goal of zero road fatalities by practicing and promoting safe driving behavior. This collaboration began in 2003 and has worked to reduce roadway fatalities by 25 percent. TZD focuses on the application of four strategic areas to reduce crashes – education, enforcement, engineering, and emergency medical and trauma response — and everyone doing the right thing when driving.
More details on each award, along with more information and photos of each award winner, can found on the 2022 TZD Awards website.
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