Gov. Beshear signs EMS Week proclamation

KCTCS Press Release

Gov. Steve Beshear signs the EMS Week proclamation in his office. From left, Steve Becraft (President, Kentucky Association of EMTs), Mark Harrison (President, Kentucky Ambulance Providers Association), Charles O,Neal (Executive Director, Kentucky Board of EMS), David Wilder (Kentucky Association of EMS Educators) and Chuck O'Neal (Kentucky Chapter, Association of Air Medical Services). Kentucky EMS Connection photo by John Hultgren.

FRANKFORT — In order to recognize the outstanding service of Kentucky’s EMS professionals, Governor Steve Beshear has designated May 18- 24, 2008, as EMS Week in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. In his proclamation, the Governor stated that he “recognizes that emergency medical services is a vital public service; that emergency medical services personnel and providers are ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week; and access to quality emergency medical services dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury”.

The Governor also pointed to his signing of House Bill 371 earlier this year again noting “that this was a significant moment - and a starting point to go forward.” House Bill 371, The Trauma Bill, created the framework for a Statewide Trauma System for the first time in the state’s history. A critical and integral part of that overall system will be the availability of quality pre-hospital services and a functioning statewide EMS system. Rapidly available ground and air ambulance operations and quality basic and advanced life support care are essential pieces to assembling the trauma system puzzle.

As a part of EMS Week, special recognition is given to the EMS for Children’s program on May 21. The Kentucky EMSC Program, which is based in the Kentucky Board of EMS works to decrease pediatric mortality and morbidity due to severe illness or injury by enhancing pediatric emergency care services throughout the state. Tom Taylor, Kentucky EMS-C Coordinator stated that, “The EMS-C program is able to accomplish its goal by building partnerships across the continuum of emergency care, offering special programs and training opportunities to EMS agencies and partners across the Commonwealth”.

Charles O’Neal, Executive Director of the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services commented that “EMS services are provided by over 13,000 dedicated EMT-First Responders, Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics across the Commonwealth. In addition, 239 ground and air ambulance providers network their resources to make quality pre-hospital care available to every citizen of the Commonwealth.” O’Neal went on to “express our sincere appreciation to our partners: EMS educators, emergency physicians, emergency nurses, and rescue and  fire service agencies that work with our EMS professionals on a daily basis to help us fulfill the theme of EMS Week 2008, ‘Your Life Is Our Mission’”.

The Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services is based within the Kentucky Community and Technical College System and is charged with the responsibility of regulation and certification of first responders and emergency medical technicians, and the licensure of paramedics and ambulance services. The agency’s ultimate goal is to assure the highest possible quality of pre-hospital emergency medical care for the citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

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