HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 05-20-25; 8-d - Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 20, 2025
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-d
SUBJECT: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Kim Woodward, 919-245-6133
Kirby Saunders, 919-245-6123
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation recognizing the week of May 18-24, 2025 as EMS Week
in Orange County, highlighting First Responders for their amazing work throughout the year.
BACKGROUND: Every year across the nation, the third week in May is dedicated to the
professional men and women who serve as EMS practitioners to establish "National EMS Week".
In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate the important work of EMS in
the nation's communities. This year marks the 51 st celebration of EMS Week. This year's theme
EMS Week: "We Care. For Everyone.', celebrates the dedication and contributions of EMS
professionals in providing care and support to the community as well as acknowledges their vital
role on the frontlines of medicine.
Each day Orange County residents and those passing through rely on the expertise and
dedication of EMS providers. These professionals help save countless lives by responding to
emergency calls, providing vital on scene care, stabilization and transporting patients to the most
appropriate medical facilities. Their skills in high-pressure situations assist in providing rapid
emergency response, aid, and compassion in times of great distress and critical decision-making
within minutes.
The Orange County Emergency Medical Services system responded to 20,936 reported
emergencies in 2024, providing EMS response, medical assessment, treatment, and ambulance
transportation when medically necessary. At full staffing, Emergency Services provides eight (8)
paramedic certified ambulances, two (2) Basic Life Support Ambulances seven days per week,
and two (2) EMS Battalion Chiefs. The Community Risk Reduction Program (Formerly the
Community Paramedic Program) has grown with the addition of a Community Emergency Medical
Technician (EMT) who joined the Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement Team in 2024.
Two (2) Post Overdose Response Community Paramedics and one (1) Peer Support Specialist
were recruited to make up the Post Overdose Response Team which initiated response on July
1, 2024.
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Emergency Medical Responders throughout Orange County provide a valuable service to the
residents and visitors and help make Orange County a safer place to live. The system is stronger
due to the exceptional service of the telecommunicators/call takers trained in Emergency Medical
Dispatch, Orange County's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Joseph Grover, South Orange Rescue
Squad, the Orange County Sheriff's Office, the County's fire departments and law enforcement
partners.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact applicable to consideration of the attached
proclamation.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY
OBJECTIVE 1. Improve harm reduction, prevention, and support services for adults and
children experiencing behavioral health issues, substance use disorder, and intellectual or
developmental disability.
OBJECTIVE 6. Provide sustainable, equitable, and high-quality community safety and
emergency services to meet the community's evolving needs.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the proclamation.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK
PROCLAMATION
MAY 18-249 2025
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, 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 first responders,
emergency medical technicians, paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers,
firefighters, police officers, educators, administrators, pre-hospital nurses,
emergency nurses, emergency physicians, trained members of the public, and
other out of hospital medical care providers; 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 THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners,
do hereby proclaim the week of May 18 through 24, 2025, to be Emergency
Medical Services Week, in honor and recognition of Orange County's EMS
providers.
The 51 st Anniversary of EMS Week theme is EMS Week: We Care. For
Everyone. We encourage the community to observe this week with appropriate
programs, ceremonies, and activities.
Adopted this 20th day of May, 2025.
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners