WASHINGTON, D.C. – In recognition of the upcoming National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week, Congressman Stephen F. Lynch recently introduced H.R. 2274, a Bill to Establish a National EMS Memorial. The legislation creates the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation, which will undertake the effort of designing, siting, and creating a memorial in Washington, D.C to honor the service and sacrifice of the nation’s EMS members.
Each year, 850,000 EMS providers answer more than 30 million calls to serve 22 million patients in need of care at a moment’s notice and without reservation. According to the Department of Labor and the National Highway Safety Administration, EMS providers die in the line of duty at a rate more than twice the national average for all occupational fatalities. In addition, during their careers, EMS providers experience an injury rate of virtually 100 percent. Over 600 men and women who served have made the ultimate sacrifice while performing their duties. H.R. 2274 will ensure that that a commemorative work is created in the nation’s capital that will recognize the ultimate sacrifice of EMS providers and will honor the dedication of EMS members nationwide.
“I am proud to introduce this legislation to establish a memorial to honor the dedicated service and ongoing commitment of the men and women of our EMS across the nation,” said Congressman Lynch. “This memorial is long overdue. EMS providers are a critical component of our nation’s homeland and national security efforts. The men and women of EMS are often our nation’s first line of defense in the prevention and mitigation of risk from terrorist attacks, man-made incidents, and natural disasters, putting their lives on the line every day in order to provide critical care for their patients. It is time to recognize the efforts of our EMS and memorialize the selfless and ultimate sacrifice made by more than 600 members of the nation’s EMS, their families, and loved ones.”
“The commitment and service of EMS providers is a part of our everyday lives as Americans without really thinking about it all too often. But the ultimate sacrifice of these same providers should never be something we take for granted,” said Katie Orsino, Executive Director of the National EMS Memorial Foundation. “We want to thank Congressman Lynch for his continued commitment and support for the men and women of EMS and for the National EMS Memorial Foundation and its mission.”
H.R. 2274 is co-sponsored by Congressman Peter King (R-NY), Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-MA), Congressman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL), Congressman James McGovern (D-MA), Congressman William Keating (D-MA), Congressman Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA), and Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO).