Emergency Medical Services Week Proclaimed

Emergency Medical Services Week was proclaimed for May 15 through 21 by Eureka Mayor Kevin Coffey and board of aldermen.

The proclamation acknowledged that emergency medical services teams, including the , provide lifesaving care 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout each year.

"Only a third of Americans rate their households are being 'very well prepared' for a medical emergency," said Coffey, which is why it is important to observe how access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury.

Designating this week also is an acknowledgment of the thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education that emergency care providers undertake.

Eureka city leaders said they believe emergency medical services providers serve as a safety net of the overall health care system.