Travis County Commssioners Court
May 20, 2003
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Item 3
3. Approve proclamation recognizing emergency medical services week, may 18 through may 24, 2003. Commissioner Daugherty?
>> we have -- can we have a copy of that? If everybody will come forward to enthusiastically read this proclamation.
>> thank you for coming today. The proclamation reads: whereas emergency medical services is a vital public service and emergency medical service teams are ready to provide life-saving care to those in need, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whereas access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who have experienced sudden illness or traumatic injury. Whereas the Austin Travis County emergency medical services consists of paramedics, star flight pilots, flight nurses, communications medics, educators, administrators and others in the Austin Travis County e.m.s. System consists of over 1700 members, including firefighters, park police, airport police, corporate first responders and hundreds of Travis County first responders representing 13 emergency service districts. Whereas we benefit each day from the knowledge, skills and dedication of these highly traneed individuals. Whereas it is appropriate to recognize the value and accomplishments of all emergency medical service providers by designating emergency medical services week, and now therefore be it resolved that we the members of the Travis County Commissioners court in recognition of this event do hereby proclaim that -- the week of may 18th through the 24th, 2003, as emergency medical services week. And I so move.
>> second.
>> thank you very much.
>> good morning.
>> good morning.
>> who is first?
>> good morning, judge and Commissioners. My name is connie snell, this is my husband jay. On December 29th, 2002, I experienced an event that will change my life forever. I suffered a cardiac arrest in my home. And I am a cardiac arrest survivor. I survived cardiac arrest because my husband had access to 911. When he reached e.m.s. Communications self help instructions were immediately given over the phone. This is called zero minute response time. My husband was able to start cpr. Our fire department had a very quick response and was able to change the rhythm of my heart with an aed, an automatic external defibrillator. Austin Travis County e.m.s. Paramedics continued caring for me and quickly transported me to a hospital. My family and i, as well as all of the residents of Travis County, wish to thank you for your continued support for Austin Travis County e.m.s. System. Thank you.
>> thank you.
>> thank you.
>> anyone else? I know we somebody back there that will speak up here. Dr. Rock.
>> good morning, judge, Commissioners. Thank you so much for this. Actually, I have to thank the snell family. This is not an easy thing to do. We certainly appreciate, a, we are pleased that everything ended up so well, but certainly appreciate the men and women --
>> thanks.
>> -- that were a part of that, the team that took care of ms. Snell and her family are the team that takes care of our community every single day. And I couldn't be prouder. I don't care our medical community could be prouder of the men and women here. We certainly appreciate the support that -- that we have gotten from this community across the board. So we can do this kind of stuff day in and day out. And so thanks to c bar, thanks to communications, thanks to the e.m.s. System. Everything worked beautifully. We are pleased that you are here.
>> I just -- I can't thank you all enough. Thank you.
>> you are living proof --
>> yes.
>> dr. Rocks thank you very much. As a -- still a baby Commissioner, I -- I would just like to say that -- that when I was in the ballpark business I -- umpires always had a hard time, I thought that everybody needed to be an umpire for one evening so that they could really see what people go through. I will tell you that it's unfortunate that every citizen in this community can't ride and can't go and see what you all do in this community. I had the -- the distinct honor of riding with dr. Rock about six weeks ago and we did have a cardiac arrest that evening. So I -- I got to see this up close and personal. And for someone that, you know, can spell emergency about as much as I know about it, I can't begin to tell you and the rest of the citizens of this community how important and how impressive this organization is. It's a real tribute to all of you all, dr. Rock we are fortunate to have somebody like you in this community that gets out and rides every Friday night and is really part of what -- of what takes place, so congratulations and thank you for coming down, mr. And mrs. Snell and I can't say enough for you all, but thank you.
>> our pleasure.
>> we appreciate all of you, all that you do. Although we don't say it enough. But thanks. All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
>> thank you very much.
>> let's give that to doctor rock.
Last Modified: Wednesday, May 21, 2003 3:52 PM