Wolf Administration Thanks 45,000 Pennsylvania EMS Providers

Harrisburg, PA – The Wolf Administration this week visited several locations across Pennsylvania as part of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week and thanked the commonwealth’s 45,000 EMS providers for their role in keeping Pennsylvanians healthy and safe, in particular as the state continues to battle the opioid epidemic.

EMS agencies play a critical role in the opioid epidemic by getting those suffering from substance use disorders into treatment. EMS providers are a key step in the warm handoff process, by working quickly to get patients to the hospital so they can get the help that they need.

“EMS providers are the first line of help for patients who need immediate medical treatment,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “When dealing with the effects of the opioid epidemic, these medical providers can find themselves in dangerous situations. The tireless and selfless work by these providers deserves the thanks of all Pennsylvanians.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is the lead agency for emergency medical services in the commonwealth. Within the department, the Bureau of EMS is responsible for the statewide development and coordination of a comprehensive system to reduce premature death and disability.

Penn State Health and Life Lion, which hosted an EMS Week kickoff event on Monday, provide both ground and air critical care transport to patients in need throughout south central Pennsylvania.

Fayette EMS in Fayette County, western Pa., held the second EMS Week event on Wednesday. Penndel-Middletown Emergency Squad, in Bucks County, held the last EMS Week event today. Both of these EMS providers are part of a growing number of EMS agencies taking part in the naloxone leave-behind program. This program, part of the Governor’s disaster declaration, uses a standing order allowing providers to leave-behind naloxone for someone who is at risk of overdosing.

Pennsylvania’s more than 45,000 certified EMS providers work for over 1,300 licensed ground and air EMS agencies to provide services to respond to more  than one million requests for service each year.