[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 132 (Thursday, October 19, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING BROWARD COUNTY FIRE RESCUE

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                           HON. PETER DEUTSCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 18, 2000

  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the efforts of 
Broward County Fire Rescue, of Broward County, Florida. The State of 
Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services 
(EMS) recently selected Broward County Fire Rescue as the 2000 State of 
Florida EMS Injury Prevention Agency of the Year. Indeed, Broward 
County Fire Rescue exemplifies the Emergency Medical Service's injury 
prevention efforts throughout the State of Florida.
  Each year, the State of Florida Department of Health's Bureau of 
Emergency Medical Services names one of the state's 250 EMS providers 
as the best injury prevention unit in the state. The award encourages 
EMS providers throughout the state to become more active in injury 
prevention efforts.
  Broward County fire rescue had many great accomplishments this year. 
It was the first agency in the county to give a heart attack clotting 
drug, Retavase, to patients en route to the hospital. The agency 
received a $100,000 grant to enhance their heart attack prevention plan 
by placing automatic external defibrillators in public buildings. These 
defibrillators have proved life-saving in cases of dire heart attack 
emergencies. Prioritizing quality of care for patients, Broward County 
Fire Rescuers make an extra effort to transport heart attack victims to 
the county hospitals best equipped to care for victims rather than the 
nearest hospital. Also, the agency has increased fire prevention 
awareness by airing fire-safety announcements before films at local 
movie theaters.
  Mr. Speaker, I extend a hearty congratulations to Broward County Fire 
Rescue for their leadership in medical and rescue excellence. They go 
above and beyond what is demanded of them and perform their heroic 
services with professionalism and success.

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