To bring greater awareness to the valuable role emergency medical services play, Reps. Merle Phillips (R-Northumberland/Snyder) and Russ Fairchild (R-Snyder/Union) have co-sponsored legislation to designate May 16-22 this year as Emergency Medical Services Week.  

House Resolution 777, which passed the House today, also designates May 19 as EMS Services Day for Children and May 21 as Emergency Medical Services Day in Pennsylvania. 

“Emergency medical service personnel are often an individual’s first contact when there is an emergency, including situations where they are our first line of defense,” said Phillips. “Not only do EMS providers respond to a wide range of emergency and accident calls, but they are also on the scene for special events with big crowds. They provide a large spectrum of care, from basic first aid to CPR and advanced life support.” 

“EMS providers are also responsible for education and training to other individuals and groups,” said Fairchild, Republican chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. “All of this takes extensive and expensive training, and we owe a great debt to these dedicated emergency medical service providers for all they do to protect and save lives.” 

This year’s theme is “EMS: Anytime. Anywhere. We’ll Be There.” Statewide, the week’s celebration will involve activities honoring emergency medical technicians, paramedics, first responders, firefighters and police along with providing vital educational material and training to adults and children on a variety of topics, including injury prevention, safety awareness and medical emergencies.  

In Pennsylvania, more than 52,000 EMS providers deliver 24-hour, seven-days-a-week life-saving care to those in need. 

Within the past year, legislation has been signed into law that updates the Commonwealth’s laws regarding the delivery of emergency medical services. Under Act 37 of 2009, the state’s EMS law has been modernized and standardized in an effort to better respond to the evolving nature of emergency medical services. It also promotes cooperation among EMS companies and regional EMS councils. 

Rep. Merle Phillips
108th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(570) 286-5885
(717) 787-3485
Rep. Russ Fairchild
85th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(570) 524-2788
(717) 787-3443
Contact:  Jennifer Algoe Keaton
jkeaton@pahousegop.com
(717) 787-3993
Caucus Site:  PAHouseGOP.com