When they put out a 911 call for an ambulance, Suffolk County residents know that someone will be there to help. Emergency Medical Service workers, many of them volunteers, are always there, day or night, good weather or bad, to serve their communities.
Now, with legislation approved by county officials, the third week in May will be dedicated to these emergency workers as “EMS Appreciation Week.” The measure was celebrated at a special ceremony hosted at the South Country Ambulance headquarters in Bellport attended by Legislator Dominick Thorne, sponsor of the designation bill, County Executive Edward Romaine, who signed it into law, and dozens of members of Suffolk’s ambulance, fire, and emergency rescue agencies.
“This morning’s bill signing is a recognition of the invaluable lifesaving service and care provided by the men and women in the county’s organizations,” Romaine said. “By declaring the third week in May as EMS Appreciation Week in Suffolk, we acknowledge and express our gratitude for the lifesaving dedication of our first responders.”
President Gerald Ford proclaimed EMS Appreciation Week on a national level in 1974 to highlight the importance of emergency professionals. “A half-century later, it seems fitting for the County of Suffolk to add its voice to celebrate, acknowledge, and thank our EMS for the lifesaving work they do every day,” said Thorne, himself a former emergency services volunteer for 27 years. “Each day of every week, EMS providers put the needs of their communities above their own needs as they respond to crises, treat injuries, and save lives.”
Last year alone, Suffolk EMS workers responded to an estimated 172,000 requests for ambulance service, emergency calls that were covered by 93 EMS agencies throughout the county, according to Thorne, who serves as chairman of the legislature’s Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness Committee. “It is a great honor to sign into law Suffolk County’s EMS Appreciation Week legislation,” said Thorne, as he thanked the over 50 EMS professionals at the ceremony representing more than 20 fire and ambulance services, ranging from Huntington to Montauk.
“Behind me stand heroes, a cross-section from all over our county, some of the highest-trained emergency care providers in the nation, from ambulance operators to EMTs to advanced critical care EMTs to paramedics,” Thorne continued. “They continually give us their greatest effort, all the while leaving their families to care for strangers. We are eternally grateful.”
Also attending the ceremony was Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano, a Medford Fire Department Commissioner and fire and ambulance volunteer for more than 40 years. “A whole week to recognize the service of our EMS force is an excellent way to thank them and remind the community of what they do,” DeStefano said. “Dedicating oneself to emergency services takes commitment, skill, strength, and long hours away from family. We are very fortunate to have such an outstanding group of people to serve us.”
Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of President Ford’s declaration, South Country Ambulance Chief Gregory C. Miglino, Jr., stated: “Honoring our past. Forging our future; we are proud of our membership and the incredible job they perform day and night to keep our community protected. Thank you for all you do.”
“I am proud to be part of designating a special week just to recognize our EMS volunteers for all that they do for our communities throughout Suffolk County,” said Legislator Jim Mazzarella at the signing event. “They are our unsung heroes and deserve this and so much more recognition and appreciation. We thank them all.”
Also in attendance were Legislator Chad Lennon, Brookhaven Town Councilman Michael Loguercio, and Suffolk Health Department Commissioner Gregson Pigott.