Gubernatorial Proclamation - Emergency Medical Services Day

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UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	May 18, 2010

Gubernatorial Proclamation - Emergency Medical Services Day

Gov. John P. de Jongh, Jr. has proclaimed the week of May 16-22, 2010 as “Emergency Medical Services Week” in the Territory. With this year’s theme: “Anytime, Anywhere, We’ll be There,” the proclamation is part of a national celebration recognizing and honoring the high-level, pre-hospital emergency medical care provided by EMS professionals. This week and all year long, we owe a debt of gratitude to the thousands of EMS professionals throughout the Virgin Islands and nationwide who commit their lives to aiding others in times of crisis and emergency.

EMS professionals are the brave men and women who are often first on the scene of a disaster, a motor vehicle crash or other hazardous situation. It is important that we take the time to honor these front line medical responders for frequently going above and beyond the call of duty to save lives, while risking their own.

This week-long event includes national and local EMS providers raising public awareness about health and safety issues, including how to prevent injuries and navigate a medical emergency. We are honored to pay tribute to those who provide our Territory with these vital public services round-the-clock and without fail.

The people of the Virgin Islands derive tremendous benefits from the skills and knowledge of our trained and highly motivated emergency health care professionals. In addition to the rapid response services that EMS professionals provide, they also promote important research to improve and adapt their skills as new methods of emergency treatment are developed. This is critical to staying current with new technologies and systems that protect Virgin Islands residents and ultimately save lives.

During this week, Governor de Jongh encourages all Virgin Islanders to recognize the many outstanding EMS professionals who dedicate themselves to helping others during crisis or emergency, including: emergency room physicians, nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, educators and administrators. We appreciate their dedication to the Territory and to protecting its people at all times.

In recognition of Emergency Medical Services Week, there will be a mock drill at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19 in the Sunny Isle area on St. Croix by EMS personnel.

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A PROCLAMATION

Emergency Medical Services Week in the Virgin Islands

WHEREAS, May 16-22, 2010 has been designated as "Emergency Medical Services Week with the theme "Anytime, Anywhere, We'll be There"; and

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

WHEREAS, emergency medical service. members devote their lives to saving the lives of others who have suffered life threatening injuries ; and

WHEREAS, advances in emergency medical care has increased the number of lives saved every year; and

WHEREAS, emergency medical services teams consist of emergency room physicians, nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedic., educators, and administrators; and

WHEREAS, the professional organizations of emergency medical services promote research to improve and adapt their skills as new methods of emergency treatment are developed; and

WHEREAS , the members of emergency medical services teams encourage national standardization of training and tasting of emergency medical personnel and reciprocal recognition of training and credentials by the States and Territories; and

WHEREAS, the designation of Emergency Medical Services Week will serve as an opportunity to educate the people of the Virgin Islands about accident prevention and what to do when
confronted with a medical emergency; and

WHEREAS, the people of the Virgin Islands derive tremendous benefits from the knowledge and skill of these trained and highly motivated individuals; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of emergency medical services teams by designating Emergency Medical Services Week;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, John P. de Jongh, Jr., Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Revised Organic Act of 1954, as amended, do hereby proclaim the week of May 16 - 22, 2010, as "Emergency Medical Services Week.". I call upon the residents of the Virgin Islands to support these health care professionals who devote their lives to saving lives.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the Government of the United States Virgin Islands to be affixed at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, this 28th day of April., A.D., 2010.

JOHN P. de Jongh, JR.