Erie County Celebrates EMS Week

May 23, 2008

Emergency services professionals provide vital services all year long

Each year, one week is set aside to celebrate National Emergency Medical Services Week. This week recognizes the thousands of emergency medical technicians, firefighters, dispatchers, emergency room doctors and nurses, first responders and everyone involved in delivering Emergency Medical Services in Erie County. The theme of this year's EMS Week is "EMS: Your life is our mission."

"The men and women who serve in the emergency medical service field dedicate themselves daily to the health and well-being of our residents," said Erie County Executive Collins. "EMS is a vital public service, and those who provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week deserve the community's respect, gratitude and thanks."

"I am honored to be here to recognize the dedication and life saving skills of our Emergency Medical Services responders," said Erie County Commissioner of Emergency Services Greg Skibitsky. "By providing 24 hour medical care to the residents of our communities, the County's first responders ensure our safety day after day. It is important to take the time to recognize all of their hard work on our behalf."v

"Emergency response has now become a vital component of our Public Health preparedness initiatives," added Dr. Anthony Billittier, Erie County Commissioner of Health. "These front line medical responders illustrate this year's theme 'Your Life is Our Mission' through their selfless commitment to our community."

EMS Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to publicize safety and honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicines ‘front line'. National EMS Week will feature hundreds of grassroots activities coast-to-coast, including golf tournaments, bake sales, blood pressure checks, presentations on cardiac health, CPR classes and child passenger safety seat inspections.

"The men and women serving Erie County as Emergency Medical Services professionals deserve our appreciation and thanks," County Legislature Chair Lynn Marinelli (Buffalo, Tonawanda) said. "We recognize them on Emergency Medical Services Day, but we truly recognize the valuable services they offer our community every day."

"I am proud to join other elected and appointed Erie County officials in honoring our EMS employees during National Emergency Medical Services Week," County Legislator Timothy Wroblewski (West Seneca, South Cheektowaga) said. "As Chairman of the Legislature's Public Safety Committee, I will continue to support and fight for funding to tear down the old Fire Training Tower and build a new facility so the men and women serving Erie County as emergency medical services employees have the best training and preparedness as can be provided."

By the last National census counts, there are more than 5,262 volunteer firefighters in Erie County. Erie County has five volunteer ambulance corps, three commercial providers, and a municipal provider from the Town of Tonawanda. County EMS responders answer roughly 100,000 calls for help each year.