Dedicated EMS System Coordinator Named January Fire Starter of the Month
January 31, 2025, MORRIS, IL- It is often said that choosing a career in service to others is a calling. For Manhattan resident Ed Ludwig, there was never a career he envisioned for himself more than being a Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician. As EMS System and Education Coordinator at Morris Hospital over the past 14 years, Ludwig has earned a reputation for being a self-starter, always striving to improve processes and enhance the experiences of those he works with. In recognition of his contributions to Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers and Emergency Medical Services, Ludwig was selected as the January Fire Starter of the Month.
Morris Hospital Director of Emergency Services Tony Bucki describes Ludwig as an experienced EMS professional who is deeply committed to improvement and innovation. “Ed is a consummate professional who demonstrates excellence in everything he does,” says Bucki. “Ed embodies the Morris Hospital mission through his dedication to helping those in need. Ed is very deserving of being fire starter.”
Although Ludwig always knew he wanted to pursue a career in EMS, he never imagined being in his current roll where he has responsibilities for the Morris Hospital Emergency Medical Services system and paramedic program. “I never pictured myself being behind the scenes coordinating with our local agencies or becoming an instructor,” Ludwig shares. “I enjoy teaching because you can take a difficult concept that can be hard to conceptualize and simplify it for the students. When you see the light flash in their eyes, signaling they understand, there is nothing more rewarding than that.”
Ludwig not only teaches and leads by example, he is also always ready to spring into action. This became especially apparent in November when Ludwig was in his office at Shabbona School in Morris when a man approached the school’s front door looking for the polling place on the other side of the building. Ludwig volunteered to accompany the man to the gymnasium, and while they were en route, the man experienced a cardiac emergency and became unresponsive. Ludwig immediately used a nearby AED (automated external defibrillator) to restore the man’s pulse before the ambulance arrived.
When asked about the most rewarding part of his job, Ludwig says he enjoys helping others and making an impact on the community. “Over the last 14 years, I have loved working at Morris Hospital because I believe in the mission and work to achieve it every day,” he says. “I love that every day is different. In my role as EMS Coordinator, I am constantly working with local fire and ambulance agencies to improve the processes that are used daily in saving lives. That motivates me to get up and go to work every day. I love what I do.”
In early civilizations, fire starters were individuals who had the important job of keeping the flame alive. With over 1,400 employees, Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers is the largest employer in Grundy County.
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