TORRANCE--A 30-year-veteran of the Hermosa Beach Fire Department received the Sustained Superiority Award in a Medal of Valor ceremony at the Torrance Marriott, Thursday.

Paul Hawkins, paramedic coordinator for the HBFD for the last 25 years, received the award for his constant striving to improve city paramedic and fire services.

Hawkins' work with the HBFD includes: assisting in physician CPR re-certification; coordinating "Super CPR Days," where hundreds of residents learn the life-saving techniques; and being a co-founder of the Sister City Parademic Program in Loreto, Mexico.

Hawkins' work in Mexico is the only advanced life support program of its type in Baja California. Twice a year for the past 11 years, Hawkins and another HBFD member have been traveling to Loreto to provide a week of training new paramedics.