FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Melissa
Spraul, The MWW Group
213 486 6560, Ext. 313
HELP IS A HEARTBEAT AWAY
More
Than 750,000 EMS Providers To Be Honored Nationwide
During
National Emergency Medical Services Week, May 19-25
Orange
County Ambulance Association To Be Honored
By
Board Of Supervisors On May 21
May 17, 2002 — Local heroes
across the country will be honored as National Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Week kicks off May 19-25. The weeklong celebration is to honor the 750,000+ EMS
providers nationwide that deliver lifesaving emergency care to those in need
every day.
This year’s theme – Help is
a Heartbeat Away – emphasizes the responsiveness, vigilance and compassion
of EMS professionals, whose timely and attentive intervention saves countless
lives every year.
“This job is different from any
other job you can have,” says Jim Karras, General Manager of Brea, CA-based
Emergency Ambulance Service, Inc. (Emergency) and President of the Ambulance
Association of Orange County (AAOC). “EMS professionals are under tremendous pressure and have to make
flawless decisions quickly. A lot of people don’t have a clue as to what they
do and EMS Week is a great opportunity to recognize the contributions of the
past, and build upon them for the future.”
As part of the festivities, on
Tuesday, May 21, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. Supervisor Cynthia Coad and the Orange
County Board of Supervisors will honor members of the Orange County Ambulance
Association with a presentation recognizing National EMS Week.
Just last April 23, 2002,
Emergency Ambulance Service and other members of the AAOC responded to a Mass
Casualty incident resulting from a collision between a Metrolink commuter train
and a freight train in the City of Placentia.
The incident necessitated the response of more than 55 ambulances from
seven (7) ambulance companies, transporting more than 73 injured persons to
area hospitals.
National EMS Week offers the
public an opportunity to learn about injury prevention, safety awareness and
emergency preparedness. State and local
activities that honor EMS providers and educate the public will also be held
throughout the week.
About the Ambulance Association of Orange County
Formed more than 30 years ago, the Ambulance Association of Orange
County (AAOC) serves as a voice and clearinghouse for the industry. The association’s primary goals are to advocate and assist in the development of
private enterprise, emergency medical services (EMS) and medical transportation
services as a viable, cost-effective alternative to publicly operated
services. The AAOC views EMS not only
as a public service, but as an essential part of the complete medical care
system. Its members provide
coverage for the largest percentage of the County’s population with emergency
and non-emergency medical transportation services. Since its formation, the AAOC has grown to
include the majority of ambulance companies—from small family-owned and
operated firms to large publicly traded corporations—operating in Orange
County.
About Emergency Ambulance Service
Family-owned and operated since 1977, Emergency Ambulance
Service, Inc. has 12 ambulance deployment centers located throughout Los
Angeles and Orange Counties. EAS provides Emergency Basic Life Support and
Nurse-Staffed Critical Care Transportation in Los Angeles and Orange Counties,
and Advanced Life Support Paramedic ambulance service throughout Los Angeles
County. The company also provides 911 primary emergency ambulance services to
six of the cities it operates in, as well as providing back up 911 service to
several surrounding communities.
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