Paying tribute to EMS providers
JOEL GIAMBRA Erie County Executive
Iwas honored last month to be a part of proclaiming the third week of May as Emergency Medical Services Week in Erie County. Emergency Medical Services is a vital public service that provides area residents access to quality care, which in turn dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of individuals who experience sudden illness or injury.

We need to recognize the brave men and women who serve as EMS providers and who are often the first on the scene of a disaster, car crash or other events that may place them in a hazardous environment.

It is important that we take the time to honor these front-line medical responders for often going above and beyond the call of duty to save lives, while risking their own.

On Oct. 12, 2006, we in Erie County saw first-hand the excellent work of our EMS providers during the October storm. The dedicated men and women who operate out of the Emergency Operations Center and throughout Erie County responded as never before in providing critical service to our citizens.

Emergency medical services teams consist of emergency physicians, emergency nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, educators and administrators, all of whom are focused on injury prevention and emergency care.

Approximately two-thirds of all EMS providers are volunteers giving of themselves to assist others and engage in thousand of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills.

The citizens of Erie County, Western New York and across this nation benefit daily from the knowledge and skills of these highly trained individuals. These are individuals who give of themselves for the betterment and safety of our community and provide lifesaving care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

By declaring EMS Week, we also are attempting to raise public awareness about health and safety issues, including how to prevent injuries and what to do in a medical emergency. Waiting until an emergency happens is too late to seek training. The time invested in receiving any type of medical emergency training is time well spent. A loved one's life may depend on it.

I ask that the next time that you come across an emergency medical service provider, that you take the time to think about all that these brave men and women do for us everyday, and say 'thanks.'