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3 <br /> 1 The Board considered approving a proclamation designating the week of May 21-27, <br /> 2 2017, as Emergency Medical Services Week in Orange County, and authorized the Chair to <br /> 3 sign. <br /> 4 Kim Woodward, EMS Operations Manager, reviewed the background information: <br /> 5 <br /> 6 BACKGROUND: <br /> 7 The American College of Emergency Physician (ACEP) has announced that the 43rd annual <br /> 8 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week will be celebrated throughout the nation May 21-27, <br /> 9 2017, in recognition of the dedicated professionals who provide emergency services to <br /> 10 residents and visitors. EMS is now firmly established as an essential public function and a vital <br /> 11 component of the medical care continuum. On any given day, EMS practitioners help save lives <br /> 12 by responding to medical emergencies, including heart attack, difficulty breathing, a fall or <br /> 13 accident, drowning, cardiac arrest, stroke, drug overdose or acute illness. EMS may provide <br /> 14 both basic and advanced medical care at the scene of an emergency and in route to a hospital. <br /> 15 EMS practitioners care for their patients' medical needs and show caring and compassion to <br /> 16 their patients in their most difficult moments. <br /> 17 <br /> 18 With the development of mobile integrated healthcare and community paramedicine (MIH-CP), <br /> 19 EMS is also increasingly a valued participant in achieving the nation's overall healthcare goals <br /> 20 of improved patient health and lowered costs. Emergency Medical Services Week brings <br /> 21 together local communities and medical personnel to publicize safety and honor the dedication <br /> 22 of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine's "front line". The <br /> 23 Emergency Medical Services System in Orange County includes Telecommunicators, Fire <br /> 24 Departments, Law Enforcement Officers, Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians, South <br /> 25 Orange Rescue Squad, First Choice, North State Ambulance Service, Emergency Nurses, <br /> 26 Emergency Physicians, County Staff, Carolina AirCare, and the University of North Carolina <br /> 27 Department of Emergency Medicine. <br /> 28 <br /> 29 The Orange County Emergency Medical Services System responded to more than 14,159 <br /> 30 reported emergencies last year, providing medical assessment, treatment, and ambulance <br /> 31 transportation when medically necessary. Emergency Services staffs eight (8) paramedic <br /> 32 certified EMS Supervisors, four (4) paramedic certified Field Training Officers, forty (40) <br /> 33 paramedics and twenty-one (21) emergency medical technicians who are exceptionally <br /> 34 dedicated and skilled. Emergency Medical Responders throughout Orange County provide a <br /> 35 valuable service to the residents and visitors and help make Orange County a safer place to <br /> 36 live. <br /> 37 <br /> 38 With the theme EMS Strong: Always in Service, everyone is reminded that the Orange <br /> 39 County emergency medical services system is dedicated to providing exceptional care around <br /> 40 the clock. <br /> 41 <br /> 42 Commissioner Jacobs read the resolution: <br /> 43 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> 44 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK PROCLAMATION <br /> 45 MAY 21-27, 2017 <br /> 46 <br /> 47 WHEREAS, Emergency Medical Services is a vital public service; and <br /> 48 <br /> 49 WHEREAS, the members of Emergency Medical Services teams are ready to provide lifesaving <br /> 50 care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and <br />