HJ2: Emergency Medical Services Week; designating as third full week in May 2014, and each succeeding yr.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 2

Offered January 8, 2014
Prefiled November 18, 2013
Designating the third full week in May, in 2014 and in each succeeding year, as Emergency Medical Services Week in Virginia.
Patron-- Kory

Committee Referral Pending

WHEREAS, emergency medical services is a vital public service; and

WHEREAS, access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury; and

WHEREAS, emergency medical services (EMS) plays a critical role in public outreach and injury prevention and is evolving in its role as an important member of the health care community; and

WHEREAS, first responders, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics stand ready to provide compassionate, lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and

WHEREAS, emergency medical responders are supported by emergency medical dispatchers, firefighters, law-enforcement officers, educators, administrators, researchers, emergency nurses, emergency physicians, and others; and

WHEREAS, the members of EMS teams, both career and volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills; and

WHEREAS, National EMS Week will be observed May 19-25, 2014, with the theme of “EMS: One Mission. One Team”; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate to recognize the value and accomplishments of EMS practitioners by designating Emergency Medical Services Week in the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly designate the third full week in May, in 2014 and in each succeeding year, as Emergency Medical Services Week in Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit a copy of this resolution to the Virginia Association of Governmental EMS Administrators so that members of the organization may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates post the designation of this week on the General Assembly’s website.