Public Information

 “HONORING OUR PAST, FORGING OUR FUTURE”
GADSDEN COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) WEEK
- -May 19-25, 2024- -

GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla - -The Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners today encouraged Gadsden County businesses and residents to join them in celebrating 50 years of celebrating Emergency Medical Services (EMS) during EMS Week May 19-25, 2024.

“As we celebrate with Gadsden County EMS staff and the world joins us in reflecting on fifty years of celebrating Emergency Medical Service Week, please join the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners in showing gratitude for emergency medical technicians and paramedics who save lives every day,” said BOCC Chairman Ronterious “Ron” Green.

Established in 1974, National EMS Week is an annual campaign that honors professionals who provide emergency medical services in communities nationwide.

“The 2024 EMS Week theme, ‘Honoring Our Past, Forging Our Future,’ speaks to our essential role in providing frontline medical care to communities everywhere,” said Susan Bailey, president of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians.

“We are determined to overcome workforce and operational obstacles so every patient receives appropriate care or direction for the best care option.”

EMS provides a full spectrum of pre-hospital and out-of-hospital care, including emergent, urgent, and preventive care.

Gadsden County Emergency Services (GCES) was established as a County Department in October 1984. In addition to providing emergency medical services to the residents and visitors of Gadsden County, they also provide fire and Rescue, non-emergency ambulance transportation, and stand-by services for events such as football games and music fests, bicycle and boat races, etc.

GCES responds to about 10,000 requests for aid yearly, which results in about 7,800 transports. GCES utilizes a combination of 6 Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances and 1 ALS Quick Response Vehicle (QRV) to render aid. The response vehicles are equipped with the latest equipment/technology available: LifePack 15 cardiac monitor/defibrillators, Lucas 3 mechanical CPR devices, Vyaire LTV 1200 ventilators, Sapphire infusion pumps, Butterfly IQ point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), and much more. Coupled with the latest evidence-based medical guidelines, citizens and visitors of Gadsden County are assured of receiving the best care available.

The Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners presented a proclamation to Gadsden County EMS personnel on Tuesday, May 6, 2024, during their regularly scheduled County Commission meeting.

“EMS Week is a great opportunity to recognize the contributions of all of the men and women who serve Gadsden County in these roles,” EMS Chief Kris Hood said.

For more information on EMS week, visit www.gadsdencountyfl.gov.

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