WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, in recognition of National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week, Congressman Stephen F. Lynch introduced H.R. 4690, a Bill to Establish a National EMS Memorial. This bill seeks to authorize the National EMS Memorial Foundation to undertake the effort of designing, siting, and creating a memorial in Washington, D.C., to honor the service and sacrifices of our nation’s emergency medical service providers.
Congressman Lynch said, “I am very pleased to introduce this legislation to establish a memorial to honor the dedicated service and commitment of the men and women of our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) across the nation. Each year, 850,000 men and women answer more than 30 million calls to serve 22 million patients in need of pre-hospital care at a moment’s notice and they do so without reservation.”
“EMS providers are a critical component of our nation’s homeland and national security efforts,” Lynch continued. “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. Over 600 men and women of our nation’s emergency medical services have made the ultimate sacrifice while performing their duties. This memorial is long overdue. I am proud to introduce this legislation to ensure that these men and women, their families and their loved ones are recognized for their ultimate sacrifice and to honor the hard work and dedication of all EMS providers nationwide.”