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9 <br /> Commissioner Hamilton congratulated the firefighters and thanked them for their <br /> service. <br /> Chair Price thanked the firefighters and led a round of applause in recognition of their <br /> service. <br /> b. EMS Week Proclamation <br /> The Board approved a proclamation designating the week of May 15 through 21, 2022, as <br /> Emergency Medical Services Week in Orange County. <br /> BACKGROUND: The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) has announced that <br /> the 47th annual Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week will be celebrated throughout the <br /> nation on May 15 through 21, 2022, in recognition of the dedicated professionals who provide <br /> emergency services to residents and visitors. EMS is now firmly established as an essential <br /> public function and a vital component of the medical care continuum. On any given day, EMS <br /> practitioners help save lives by responding to medical emergencies, including heart attack, <br /> difficulty breathing, a fall or accident, drowning, cardiac arrest, stroke, drug overdose or acute <br /> illness. EMS may provide both basic and advanced medical care at the scene of an emergency <br /> and enroute to a hospital. EMS practitioners care for their patients' medical needs and show <br /> caring and compassion to their patients in their most difficult moments. <br /> With mobile integrated healthcare and community paramedicine (MIH-CP), EMS is also <br /> increasingly a valued participant in achieving the nation's overall healthcare goals of improved <br /> patient health and lowered costs. Emergency Medical Services Week brings together local <br /> communities and medical personnel to publicize safety and honor the dedication of those who <br /> provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine's "front line." The Emergency Medical <br /> Services system in Orange County includes Telecom municators, Fire Departments, Law <br /> Enforcement Officers, Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians, South Orange Rescue <br /> Squad, First Choice, North State Ambulance Service, Priority Care, Emergency Nurses, <br /> Emergency Physicians, County Staff, Carolina AirCare, and the University of North Carolina <br /> Department of Emergency Medicine. <br /> The Orange County Emergency Medical Services system responded to 19,378 reported <br /> emergencies last year, providing EMS response, medical assessment, treatment, and <br /> ambulance transportation when medically necessary. Emergency Services staffs eight (8) <br /> ambulances and Two (2) paramedic certified EMS Supervisors daily. The division is staffed with <br /> eight (8) EMS Supervisors, four (4) paramedic certified Field Training Officers, thirty-two (32) <br /> paramedics and twenty-eight (28) emergency medical technicians who are all exceptionally <br /> dedicated and skilled. Two (2) Community Paramedics have also provided invaluable service to <br /> the aging population of the County. EMS providers proved indispensable throughout the <br /> pandemic. EMS assisted in the staffing of the mass vaccination clinics providing over 58% of <br /> the total vaccines. The Orange County Community Paramedics continued the vaccination <br /> delivery to over 450 individuals who were unable to physically or safely travel to a vaccine clinic. <br /> Emergency Medical Responders throughout Orange County provide a valuable service to the <br /> residents and visitors and help make Orange County a safer place to live. <br /> With the theme, "EMS: Rising to the Challenge," everyone is reminded that the Orange County <br /> emergency medical services system has demonstrated exceptional ability to stand strong and <br /> maintain the highest standards of care throughout the pandemic. <br />