To All Personnel,

We, the Command Staff, wanted to take a moment and thank you for your dedication and hard work during the past 72 hour weather event. A majority of you wear multiple hats that include the fire service, various regional task force teams, fire police, etc. and we appreciate putting your public safety employment first. As with any sustained weather event, there were crews working in harm’s way, working extended shifts, keeping our units on the road, and performing tasks not directly related to EMS, but related to public service. Your work has been noticed and appreciated by your colleagues and superiors, and is a shining example of why West Shore EMS is a leader in prehospital emergency services.

Again, thank you for all you do.

John Brindle, CCEMT-P
Chief 1-81
West Shore EMS

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In the wake of our resent storm events which have impacted the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Hurricane Irene and the Tropical Storm Lee, I want to take an opportunity to pass along my sincere appreciation to every individual of the Pennsylvania EMS System. I am not just speaking to those who packed up and deployed as a member an EMS Strike Team, but all those who provided coverage in the team’s absence, all those who met the increased response needs within impacted communities, those who answered the calls for mutual aid, who increased and maintained a heightened readiness posture, and all those who sit unseen in the background who coordinated and provide support to make it all function. This system could not work without each of you and I cannot express enough my genuine heartfelt gratitude. Further I would be remiss if I did not mention our families who wait at home, sometime left to deal with these storms and the aftermath on their own. Truly we could not be the great system we are without their support to let us do what we do every day.

Believe me when I say that your efforts and selfless sacrifice are recognized by Governor Tom Corbett, Secretary of Health Dr. Eli N. Avila and the entire statewide emergency management and response community. We have met the challenges for these events head on and with great success. You have defined EMS and the nation will look to us to see how it is done. You each should be proud.

It is an honor to represent you here in Harrisburg and I look forward to our continued success.

Sincerely
Joseph Schmider
Director, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services