NATIONAL SAFETY AGENCY ANNOUNCES WEEK TO RECOGNIZE EMERGENCY CARE PROVIDERS |
|---|
|
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
May 19, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 19, 1997
NHTSA 32-97
Contact: Tim Hurd
Tel. No. (202) 366-9550
NATIONAL SAFETY AGENCY ANNOUNCES WEEK
TO RECOGNIZE EMERGENCY CARE PROVIDERS
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) joined the American College of Emergency Physicians today to announce National Emergency Medical Services Week, May 18-24, and recognize contributions by approximately 750,000 EMS care providers throughout the nation. The theme for the week is "EMS: Making a Difference...for Life."
"As a board-certified emergency physician, I've seen the unselfish dedication of hundreds of thousands of Americans who work the front lines of emergency medical care in our communities. They do make a difference, and I welcome this opportunity to honor them for their untiring efforts to preserve life," said NHTSA Administrator Ricardo Martinez, M.D.
During National EMS Week, NHTSA will promote the campaign to "Make the Right Call" to educate Americans about proper use of emergency medical service. Martinez said that every second counts in an emergency, making it imperative that EMS systems are used for emergencies only.
According to Martinez, the critical factor in using the EMS system is knowing how to properly access it in local communities, and the key for EMS providers is to get the right equipment sent to the right location in a timely and efficient manner. "Make the Right Call" provides a basic understanding of how the EMS system works for everyone whose life depends on it. The campaign emphasizes four steps:
Also during National EMS Week, NHTSA and the Federal Communications Commission will co-sponsor a "Wireless Call to Action" meeting to mobilize national health, medical and public safety organizations to support local use of wireless "9-1-1." The meeting is from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, in room 8236 at the Department of Transportation's Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, S.W. in Washington, D.C.
NHTSA provides leadership for EMS systems around the country as part of "EMS: Agenda for the Future," a comprehensive program that offers management strategies to address ongoing changes in the health care environment The "Make the Right Call" campaign is supported by the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association, which has distributed program information to some 45 million wireless users nationwide.
Information about EMS Week activities is available from local emergency medical service units and fire departments. Information on "Make the Right Call" and "EMS: Agenda for the Future" is available from NHTSA, EMS Division, (NTS-14), 400 Seventh Street S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590. The telephone number to call is (202) 366-7721.