Explanation
May 15-21, 2005 is NATIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK across the nation. Because emergency medical services is such a vital public service, with over 1,500 members of the Columbus Division of Fire providing Columbus citizens daily lifesaving care, it is highly appropriate that the community recognize the contribution these dedicated men and women make to the quality of life in Columbus.
The Columbus Division of Fire is the first major metropolitan city to have an ambulance stationed at every fire station throughout the city. Moreover, it is a vital partner in Project HeartSTART, a collaborative effort with the City to improve survival rates of victims of sudden cardiac arrests by increasing the number of AEDs in public buildings and raising community awareness and commitment to CPR and AED training.
Title
To proclaim May 15-21, 2005 as NATIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK.
Body
WHEREAS, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are a vital public service; and
WHEREAS, in 1969 the Columbus Division of Fire became one of the first in the country to implement an innovative EMS delivery system that reduces response times and saves lives, and is the first major metropolitan city to have an ambulance stationed at every fire station throughout the city; and
WHEREAS, over 1,500 members of the Columbus Division of Fire provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and
WHEREAS, Columbus citizens benefit daily from the knowledge and expertise of these highly trained and dedicated individuals; and
WHEREAS, statistics clearly show that access to quality EMS services dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury; and
WHEREAS, while the primary focus of Fire EMS is on the delivery of highly specialized paramedic level care, it is extremely supportive of the Project HeartSTART program and a proud partner in this potentially lifesaving initiative; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Division of Fire stresses the importance of citizens being prepared for a medical emergency, in ways such as knowing when to "Make the Right Call", learning CPR, and keeping up-to-date medical records for all family members; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby proclaim the week of May 15-21, 2005 as NATIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK and convey our gratitude to all members of the Columbus Division of Fire for their outstanding contributions to the safety and well being of the citizens of Columbus.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be presented to the Columbus Division of Fire as a token of our esteem.