[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 30 (Thursday, February 25, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO CAPE AND ISLANDS EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 1999

  Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the important 
work of Cape and Islands Emergency Medical Services on the occasion of 
its twenty-fifth anniversary on February 25, 1999.
  The Cape and Islands Emergency Medical Services system was created in 
1974 by a group of physicians, fire fighters and chiefs, local 
officials and educators who recognized the need to develop a 
comprehensive paramedic training program and who had the vision to 
create a system to provide advanced life support ambulance services to 
the people of the Cape and Islands.
  Today, Cape and Islands EMS provides these comprehensive services to 
26 towns, 29 provider agencies, 5 hospitals and a fluctuating 
population of 200,000 in the winter months and over 1,000,000 during 
the summer.
  Cape and Islands EMS has made significant contributions to the 
delivery of health care on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket 
through education, medical direction and oversight, communications and 
administrative services for EMS providers.
  After twenty-five years, Cape and Islands EMS has become a leader in 
the delivery of high-quality emergency medical services. Its team has 
set a high standard of excellence, always striving to exceed the needs 
and expectations of the Cape and Islands medical community as well as 
area residents.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Cape and 
Islands EMS System for twenty-five years of outstanding service.