Recognizing May 18 to 24, 2003, as National Emergency Medical Services Week, and honoring Thomas Jefferson University Hospital for coordinating a tri-state terrorism drill.

WHEREAS, National Emergency Medical Services Week is a celebration to honor the approximately 750,000 EMS providers nationwide who deliver lifesaving care, and a time when fire and EMS crews provide vital educational material and training to adults and children on topics such as injury prevention, recognizing an emergency, and what to do until help arrives; and

WHEREAS, The EMS system depends on the availability and coordination of many different elements, ranging from an informed public to a network of trauma centers capable of providing highly specialized care to the most seriously ill or injured; and

WHEREAS, The modern EMS system came into being in 1996, following a National Academy of Sciences report that revealed that the average American had a better chance of survival in the combat zones of Korea or Vietnam than on the nation’s highways. This report galvanized public support to the creation of the modern EMS system. Today, the efforts of EMS providers at all levels have helped to make our system the most advanced in the world; and

WHEREAS, The bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on May 9, 1995 and the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon on September 11, 2001 further demonstrate the need for an educated citizenry and an effective EMS system that can face new challenges; and

WHEREAS, As a part of their commitment to their mission of providing the best emergency services and educating the public on how to respond in a crisis, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital has undertaken, in cooperation with other local hospitals, fire and police departments, sponsorship of a terrorism drill on Saturday, May 17. This drill will serve as a training device to better ensure Philadelphia’s preparedness in the event of disaster; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That May 18 to 24, 2003 be designated as National Emergency Medical Services Week.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Edward Jasper, of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, as an expression of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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