(WHITE TOWNSHIP, NJ - May 24, 2023)  Warren County proclaimed Emergency Medical Services Week, as the county Commissioners offered their thanks and praise to the men and women of the EMS community who provide life-saving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

EMS squads are “basically a hospital on wheels,” Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla said as the commissioners presented the proclamation to representatives of the Warren County EMS Officers Association. “It can make a very big difference” in how a patient fares in an emergency, she added.

Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski noted the board has recognizes firefighters, 9-1-1 telecommunicators and other first responders in the past month, and now it is time to thank the paid and especially the volunteer members of the EMS squads in the county.

There are approximately 350 emergency medical services personnel in Warren County, with 12 active EMS squads staffed by a mix of volunteer crews, paid crews, and combination crews, as well as two hospital-supported ambulances and three hospital-based Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICU) with paramedics. Meanwhile, Air Medical MICU services are provided by two primary helicopter providers in Warren County, which provide rapid transport to regional trauma and specialty care hospitals within minutes when necessary.

Commissioner James R. Kern III said the recognition for the EMS community was long overdue, noting this was the first time the commissioners were marking Emergency Medical Services Week. Kern noted that volunteers have to go through the same rigorous training as the paid professionals. All EMTs must successfully pass a minimum of a 190-hour NJ Department of Heath basic training course, and a state final aptitude/knowledge skills test.

Pictured during the proclamation presentation are (l-r) EMS Captain Dave Neal of Knowlton Township Fire & Rescue, who is president of the Warren County EMS Officers Association; Commissioner  Jason J. Sarnoski; Chief Peggy Hissim of the Oxford Emergency Squad and vice president of the county EMS Officers Association; Scott Durlester, president of the Blairstown Ambulance Corps; Captain Mike Drislane of the Allamuchy – Green First Aid Squad; Commissioner James R. Kern III; and Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK
 MAY 21-27, 2023

 WHEREAS, emergency medical services is a vital public service and the members of emergency medical services teams are ready to provide life-saving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and

WHEREAS, access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury; and

WHEREAS, emergency medical services has grown to fill a need by providing important, out of hospital care, including preventative medicine, follow-up care, and access to telemedicine; and

WHEREAS, the emergency medical services system consists of first responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, educators, administrators, pre-hospital nurses, emergency nurses, emergency physicians, trained members of the public, and other out of hospital medical care providers; and

WHEREAS, there are 12 active EMS squads in Warren County, staffed by a mix of volunteer crews, paid crews, and combination crews, as well as two hospital-supported ambulances and three hospital-based Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICU) with paramedics, while Air Medical MICU services are provided by two primary helicopter providers in Warren County, which provide rapid transport to regional trauma and specialty care hospitals within minutes when necessary; and

WHEREAS, the members of emergency medical services teams, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their life-saving skills, as EMTs must successfully pass a minimum of a 190-hour NJ Department of Heath basic training course, and a state final aptitude/knowledge skills test; and

WHEREAS, with approximately 350 emergency medical services personnel in Warren County, it is appropriate to recognize their value and accomplishments by designating Emergency Medical Services Week.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Warren County Board of County Commissioners proclaims the week of May 21 - 27, 2023, as EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK, notes that Emergency Medical Services is “Where Emergency Care Begins”, and offers its thanks and praise to the men and women of Warren County’s EMS community.

                         Lori Ciesla, Director                        James R. Kern III, Deputy Director                        Jason J. Sarnoski, Commissioner