HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-20-2008-3aORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 20, 2008
Action Agenda
Item No. ~ ~q
SUBJECT: EMS Week Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
EMS Week Proclamation
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Frank Montes de Oca, 245-3031
Kim Woodward, 245-3030
PURPOSE: To proclaim the week of May 18 through 24, 2008 as Emergency Medical Services
Week in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) has announced that
the 35t" annual Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week will be celebrated throughout the
nation May 18-24, 2008, in recognition of the dedicated professionals who provide emergency
services to the public. The Emergency Medical Services system in Orange County includes
Telecommunicators, First Responders, Law Enforcement Officers, Paramedics, Emergency
Medical Technicians, Firefighters, South Orange Rescue Squad, Orange County Rescue
Squad, Nurses, Doctors, County Staff, the UNC Hospitals Emergency Department, the Carolina
Airfare program, the University of North Carolina Department of Emergency Medicine, and
various private enterprises.
Orange County Emergency Medical Services responded to more than 11,000 reported
emergencies last year, providing medical assessment, treatment, and ambulance transportation
when medically necessary. County Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians are
exceptionally experienced and are among the highest trained in the State. Emergency Medical
Responders provide a valuable service to the public. and make Orange County a safer place to
live.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this proclamation.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation
designating the week of May 18-24, 2008 as Emergency Medical Services Week in Orange
County in recognition of the many dedicated men and women who daily serve the residents and
visitors of Orange County, and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation.
2
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK PROCLAMATION
MAY 18-24, 2008
WHEREAS, emergency medical services is a vital public service; and
WHEREAS, the members of emergency medical services teams are ready to provide
lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County EMS System is a network of twelve fire departments,
two rescue squads, three private providers, and two hospital critical care transport
agencies, and more than one hundred County telecommunicators, emergency medical
technicians, and paramedics; and
WHEREAS, access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and
recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury; and
WHEREAS, the emergency medical services system consists of emergency physicians,
emergency nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, educators,
administrators and others; and
WHEREAS, the members of emergency medical services teams, whether career or
volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education
to enhance their lifesaving skills; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of
emergency medical services providers by designating Emergency Medical Services
Week; now
NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, in recognition of
this event, do hereby proclaim the week of May 18-24, 2008, as
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK
with the theme, EMS: Your Life is Our Mission, and encourage the community to
observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.
This the 20th day of May, 2008.
Barry Jacobs, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Donna S. Baker
.,~ ; . - Cierk to the Board