Event to take place May 3-4, 2010, in Washington, D.C.
Clinton, Miss. — To ensure that EMS has a strong voice in the nation’s Capitol and in government decisions that affect the field and its practitioners, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) has announced that it is sponsoring the first EMS on the Hill Day on May 3-4, 2010, in Washington, D.C.
This event, which will be held annually, represents the EMS community’s first coordinated effort
to visit congressional leaders and staff on Capitol Hill.
The event will:
- Include representation from EMS organizations in all sectors of the EMS community.
- Provide a consistent message to Congress on the key issues affecting EMS and EMS practitioners.
- Encourage and promote broad participation within the EMS community.
The Hotel Palomar in Washington, D.C. has been selected as the official event hotel. The
program will include:
May 3, 2010 (evening) — A pre-Hill Visit briefing will prepare participants for visiting their
congressional leaders. All participants will receive Hill Visit Kits and appointment schedules.
May 4, 2010 (morning-afternoon) — Participants will visit the offices of congressional leaders to
advocate for key EMS issues.
May 4, 2010 (evening) — NAEMT will host a reception for all EMS on the Hill Day participants,
congressional leaders and staff, and federal agency staff.
“It’s exciting to see EMS on the Hill Day come to fruition. I am so glad that NAEMT has taken the initiative; it’s time that EMS practitioners receive the recognition they are due,” says Jerry Johnston, Immediate Past President of NAEMT and the event chair. “We hear time and time again from our membership that they most want a voice and to receive recognition for the work they do every day. This effort not only accomplishes that, but also should serve as a catalyst for furthering future Hill activity and developing relationships that will strengthen our cause at the federal level.”
Updates and more information on the event will be posted on the NAEMT web site, www.naemt.org.
Formed in 1975 and today more than 30,000 members strong, NAEMT is the nation’s only association representing the professional interests of all EMS practitioners, including paramedics, emergency medical technicians, first responders and other professionals working in pre-hospital emergency medicine. NAEMT members work in all sectors of EMS, including government service agencies, fire departments, hospital-based ambulance services, private companies, industrial and special operations settings, and in the military.