Paramedics
In August of this year, the Alhambra City Council voted to adopt its own paramedic program, leaving only three cities in Los Angeles County without this life-saving service.
It is time for these three cities--San Gabriel, Sierra Madre and La Habra Heights--to take the necessary action to provide their residents with this invaluable service.
The facts speak for themselves. In just its first year alone as a pilot program in one small section of the district I represent, paramedics treated approximately 1,000 persons. Of those patients, an estimated one-third was saved due to the efforts of these rescue teams. Since the paramedic program began in 1970, more than 1.2 million total rescue responses have been performed by these modern-day heroes.
I can now speak from personal experience. This year paramedics rushed to provide me with expert emergency treatment. I am now back at work largely thanks to their professionalism during those first critical minutes.
Every citizen is entitled to the security of knowing that paramedic service is available for them.
Again, I urge the cities of San Gabriel, Sierra Madre and La Habra Heights to truly serve the needs of their citizens and adopt paramedic programs of their own.
KENNETH HAHN
County Supervisor
Los Angeles
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