EMS leaders are gathering in Washington, D.C., today for the first EMS on the Hill day in person in 3 years. EMS1’s Rob Lawrence catches up with NAEMT President Susan Bailey and NAEMT President-Elect Chris Way as they kick off the event.
Bailey tells EMS1, there are 237 people registered, and “I’m looking to see this room filled with 237 people and all of us on the hill tomorrow advocating for EMS.”
Way notes this is a unique opportunity for EMS as a profession to come and get to talk to our Congressional leaders both in the House and the Senate here in Washington, D.C.
“Coming to Washington and being here with them in their office with their staff, where they’re looking at us and we’re wearing our uniforms and we’re making an impression – we’re talking about those important issues that really matter,” Way said. “We’re talking about things like funding for EMS; we’re talking about growing the profession; we’re talking about workforce shortages; we’re talking about things that matter and are current issues for us that we’re facing in our profession. I think there’s nothing that can be matched by doing that.”
Also, follow along as the California delegation briefs legislative staff on the value of EMS and the services needed, with Captain Chris Ottolini, Marcie Addy and Captain Scott Holman.
