The director of Pella Community Ambulance was honored by a paramedic who serves in the U.S. Army National Guard.

Jason Ford surprised Greg Higginbotham at the organization’s annual holiday party Thursday by presenting him with the Patriotic Employer award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Ford tells KRLS News Higginbotham has supported him by being flexible with an often time-demanding position as the two shared time at both Knoxville Fire and Rescue, and now Pella Ambulance.

“Throughout that time, it’s probably been more challenging for him than me in that I get sent away on short notice and I come back on short notice and he manages to fit me back into his schedule, and he’s never complained at any point,” Ford says about Higginbotham. “He’s been incredibly supportive, so I nominated Greg for a Patriotic Employer award through the Department of Defense, and it was approved.”

Higginbotham says he’s doing what any employer should do — support those who serve in the military.

“I was blown away by that [award], I did not see that coming what-so-ever, so I’m very humbled,” he says. “All I’m doing is what I think any American would do–you have an employee who is representing us on the front lines and I’m just so proud of Jason and what he does.”

He also says the support of other paramedics, EMTs, and volunteers has allowed for the schedule flexibility afforded to Ford so he can leave for his service time.