TITLE
Recommendation to, by motion of the City Council, request to receive and file the 2012 National EMS Week presentation.
DISCUSSION
National Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Week, May 20-26th, celebrated and educates the public about the vital life-saving services and duties emergency medical personnel perform on a daily basis. This year's theme is: More Than a Job. A Calling.
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) was instrumental in establishing Emergency Medical Services Week when President Gerald Ford declared November 3 -10,1974 as the first "National Emergency Medical Services Week." This annual observance continued for four more years and was then reinstituted by ACEP in 1982. Around this time the observance of EMS Week was moved to September. In 1992 EMS Week was again moved to be the 3rd week in May. The move was made to separate EMS Week from Fire Prevention week in October.
Emergency medical services are vital public services and 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. Access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury and the emergency medical services system consists of emergency physicians, emergency nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, educators, administrators and others. The members of emergency medical services teams, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills.
Over 65 % of the calls for service received annually by the Long Beach Fire Department are for medical purposes, thereby making EMS an essential component of the pubic service and safety provided by first responders that make our City stronger and more resilient.
In honor of National EMS week the Fifth Council District, along with the Long Beach Fire Department and the Long Beach Firefighter Association Local 372 will be hosting an open house at fire stations 5,18 & 19 on Saturday, May 19th from 1 pm-5 pm. The public is invited to walk, ride a bicycle or drive to each fire station to learn about our firefighters and the equipment they use. Information about the CERT program -- Community Emergency Response Training-- as well as free carbon monoxide detectors (for the first 100 to visit) will be available. Hot dogs will be served.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
COUNCILWOMAN GERRIE SCHIPSKE
FIFTH DISTRICT