A tip of the hat to EMS providers

To the editor:
    Each year, thousands of men and women spend countless hours responding to, and providing, the best in pre-hospital care to the millions of Americans whom have come to rely on the Emergency Medicals Services (EMS) System. Please join us in celebrating National EMS Week, May 19-25, 2008. This year’s theme is “Your Life is Our Mission “.     As regional coordinator, I can attest to the long hours and extreme dedication given by the volunteers and paid time members that comprise the local EMS system. Not only do these folks give of themselves, they also forsake a lot of personal and family time in the interest of helping others in time of need.
    Aroostook County is proud of the 11 Ambulance Services, two Air Ambulance services, and two hundred and twenty four First Responders, Basic EMTs, Intermediate-EMTs and Paramedics that serve our communities. These people step up to the plate each and every day, in an effort to promote the best in pre-hospital care possible, to the citizens for which they serve.
    In addition, Aroostook Region 5 Emergency Medical Services is an active participant in Statewide Pandemic Planning, Emergency Operations Exercises in conjunction with the Aroostook Emergency Management Agency, and other activities related to response during potential mass casualty situations. We are at the forefront in developing plans to support the interest of public safety, in the event of a large scale public disaster. In essence, a considerable amount of work is being done silently, to insure the well being of our friends and neighbors.
    So please, the next time you see a member of Ashland Ambulance, Crown Ambulance or Limestone, Fort Fairfield, Presque Isle and Washburn fire departments, please take a moment to thank them for their dedication to the EMS system.