HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-03-2007-3bORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 3, 2007
Action Agenda
Item No. 3 - b
SUBJECT: EMS Week Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services/ PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
Management
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
EMS Week Proclamation Kent McKenzie, 968-2050
PURPOSE: To proclaim the week of May 20 through 26, 2007 as Emergency Medical Services
Week in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) announced that the
34th annual Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week will be celebrated throughout the nation
May 20-26, 2007 in recognition of the dedicated professionals that 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, South Orange Rescue Squad, Orange County Rescue Squad, Nurses,
Doctors, County Staff, the UNC Hospitals Emergency Department, the Carolina Airfare
program, the University Department of Emergency., Medicine, and various private enterprises.
Orange County Emergency Medical Services responded to more than 9,000 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 residents and make Orange County a safer place
to live.
FINANCIAL- IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with approval of the
proclamation.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation
designating the week of May 20-26, 2007 as Emergency Medical Services Week in Orange
County, in recognition of the many dedicated men and women that 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 20-26, 2007
WHEREAS, emergency medical services (EMS) is a vital public service; and
WHEREAS, the members of EMS 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, 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 EMS system includes emergency physicians, emergency
nurses, educators, administrators, telecommunicators, and field staff; and
WHEREAS, the Orange. County EMS System responds to nearly ten-thousand
emergency incidents each year; and
WHEREAS, EMS personnel, both career and volunteer, engage in thousands of
hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their skills; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of
EMS providers by designating Emergency Medical Services Week;
NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, in
recognition of this event do hereby proclaim the week of May 20-26, 2007, as
EMERGENCY MEDICAt_ SERVIGES WEEK, with the theme, "EMS: Serving
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Service" and encourage the community to
observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.
This the 3~d day of May 2007.
Moses Carey, Jr., Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Donna S. Baker
Clerk to the Board