Exemplary Service and Dedication in EMS 

Allen Steele’s career in emergency medical services and the military represents a lifelong dedication to service, resilience, and mentorship. Growing up in a family with a strong tradition of military service, primarily in the U.S. Navy, Steele developed a deep commitment to his country at an early age. Although he could not enlist immediately after high school, Steele’s desire to serve led him to join the Lake Robinson Rescue Squad, where he discovered a passion for EMS.

Steele’s commitment to serve at a higher level ultimately led him to enlist in the U.S. Army in 2004 as a Combat Medic. His role in the military allowed him to combine his EMS expertise with his dedication to country, bringing him to Afghanistan and Iraq, where he honed his skills and developed a calm, effective approach to high-stakes care. In Afghanistan, Steele worked alongside the Afghan Border Patrol and the Afghan Red Cross to establish an Afghan Medic program, inspiring him to pursue teaching and innovation in healthcare. Observing local medics’ resourcefulness in delivering care with limited supplies underscored the importance of adaptability, a lesson that continues to guide his work in EMS today.

After completing his military service in 2015, Steele transitioned to civilian EMS, joining Medshore Ambulance Service. In EMS, Steele found a new community of colleagues with a strong sense of camaraderie and shared mission. While the unique brotherhood of military service is irreplaceable, EMS has provided Steele with a close second, where he and his colleagues remain unified by their commitment to high-quality patient care.

Today, Steele continues to serve as an EMT and Field Training Officer with Guardian Ambulance in Florence, South Carolina. His diverse experiences in both military and civilian EMS provide him with the insight and expertise to mentor and train new EMTs, passing on his knowledge to future generations. Through Guardian Ambulance’s partnership with VA hospitals across the state, Steele also has the privilege of working directly with veterans, using his military background to create a connection and sense of trust with those he serves.

In recognition of his exemplary contributions to EMS, Guardian Ambulance, part of the Priority Ambulance family, is proud to announce that Steele has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious 2024 American Ambulance Association (AAA) Stars of Life Award. The Stars of Life Award honors EMS professionals who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to service, and Steele’s journey, spanning over two decades, embodies that standard of excellence. From his beginnings as a volunteer with Lake Robinson Rescue in 1996, Steele’s career has been defined by compassion, adaptability, and a relentless dedication to his profession.

Allen Steele’s path from military service to civilian EMS and the esteemed Stars of Life Award exemplifies a legacy of service that will continue to inspire his colleagues and those he serves. His journey reflects the highest ideals of the EMS profession—dedication to community, resilience in the face of challenges, and an unwavering commitment to helping those in need.