or   Contact: Randi Appelbaum/DMS at 212-727-1802 or e-mail at RandiA@dmswire.com

SATELLITE INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY

HARD COPIES NOW AVAILABLE

WHAT:  EXPERT TIPS ON HOW FAMILIES SHOULD BE PREPARED TO HANDLE EMERGENCIES.

WHY:  May 16-22 is National Emergency Medical Services Week.

According to the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), more than 110 million visits were made to the nation's emergency departments in 2002 - an increase of nearly 3 million over the previous year.  It is never too late for families to make sure they are ready for emergencies at home, in the car, on vacation, on the playing field or in the playground.

 Topics Dr. J. Brian Hancock Will Address Include:

n  National EMS Week -- National and local events.

n  When to call 911.

n  How to prepare family emergency plans.

n  Importance of first aid kits and keeping the family's medical information organized and accessible family medical information.

n  What should your first aid kit contain to make sure it is complete and updated.

n  Tips on how to treat minor wounds and cuts to avoid infection and to heal fast.

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MORE ABOUT EMS WEEK: 

The 30th annual Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week, sponsored by ACEP, will be celebrated throughout the nation May 16-22, 2004. The event brings together local communities and medical personnel to publicize safety and honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of the medical "front line."

 "The last few years have been marked with intense pride and achievement in our nation's EMS community making even more Americans aware that the men and women serving in this capacity are there when they need them," said J. Brian Hancock, MD, president of ACEP.  "It is important for the nation to celebrate EMS Week and recognize these individuals who give their lives to saving ours."

National EMS Week will feature hundreds of grassroots activities coast-to-coast that will be planned around this year's theme, "EMS: There When You Need Us," which underscores the commitment and dedication of the 750,000 EMS providers who serve their communities.

The weeklong series of events will include national and local activities to honor EMS providers (paramedics, emergency medical technicians, first responders, fire fighters, and the police) to raise public awareness about health and safety issues, including how to prevent injuries and what to do in a medical emergency.