2018 Second Extraordinary Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 4
BY SENATOR MARTINY
A RESOLUTION
To designate May 20 through May 26, 2018, as Emergency Medical Services Week,
highlighting the theme of "EMS Strong: Always in Service".
WHEREAS, in 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized Emergency Medical Services
Week to celebrate these services and the important job that those who work in that area of
healthcare perform in the nation's communities; and
WHEREAS, in the forty-four years since that first week of recognition, emergency
medical services workers helped to save lives by responding to medical emergencies,
including heart attack, difficulty breathing, falls or accidents, drowning, cardiac arrest,
stroke, drug overdose, and any other acute medical situations; and
WHEREAS, emergency medical services are an essential public function and by
filling a gap in the course of out-of-hospital care, including preventative medicine, and
access to telemedicine, thereby providing a vital part of the medical care continuum; and
WHEREAS, the members of emergency medical services teams are ready to provide
lifesaving care to those in need, twenty-four hours a day and 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, emergency medical services have grown to fill a gap by providing
important, out-of-hospital care, including preventative medicine, follow-up care, and access
to telemedicine; and
WHEREAS, the emergency services system consists of first responders, emergency
medical technicians, paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, firefighters, police
officers, educators, administrators, prehospital nurses, emergency physicians, trained
members of the public, and other out-of-hospital medical 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
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WHEREAS, it is appropriate to continue the annual occasion to recognize and
celebrate the value and accomplishments of emergency medical service providers by
designating Emergency Medical Services Week, May 20 through May 26, 2018, highlighting
the theme of "EMS Strong: Always in Service".
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby designate May 20 through May 26, 2018, as Emergency Medical Services
Week, highlighting the theme of "EMS Strong: Always in Service".
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Deputy Fire Chief Terry Blanchard, president of the Louisiana Association of Nationally
Registered Emergency Medical Technicians.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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