Press Release

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May 22, 2007

East Bay resident Paul Rosa was having fun with family and friends at Waterworld in Concord when he collapsed, a victim of a sudden cardiac arrest. Thanks to a team of first responders and one of a number of public defibrillator throughout Contra Costa, he's alive and well today.

That team is among 25 people honored today by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors as they join the American College of Emergency Physicians and communities around the nation in proclaiming the week of May 20-26 as Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week. This is the 34th annual nationally recognized EMS week and its theme is "Extraordinary People, Extraordinary Service."

Contra Costa County EMS Director Art Lathrop says, "This year's theme exemplifies the excellent services provided every day, under any circumstances by the many EMS providers who serve our communities." These include paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and other trained individuals who work in 9-1-1 dispatch centers, fire and law enforcement agencies, and ambulance services, as well as physicians and nurses working in hospital emergency departments and trauma centers.

Certificates of commendation were awarded to 25 individuals from American Medical Response, Antioch Police, Contra Costa County Fire, East Contra Costa County Fire, Lafayette Police, Moraga-Orinda Fire, Rodeo-Hercules Fire, Richmond Police Communications, and San Ramon Valley Fire.

"While these individuals deserve to be recognized for their life-saving contributions," said Lathrop at the county board meeting, "their presence here today is really in recognition of the hard work and dedication of all EMS personnel. They are there - everywhere, at any time - to save lives and to assure that the sick and injured receive emergency care."

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