MONTGOMERY-May is Stroke Month, and May 18-24 is Emergency Medical Services Week, a time to highlight the important role that Emergency Medical Services Personnel (EMSP) play in caring for and identifying stroke patients.
Stroke is the leading cause of serious long-term disability and the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Patients who are having a stroke need to be quickly evaluated at a hospital, just like patients who are having a heart attack.Because treatment has to be 
administered within the first few hours of symptoms, delivering proper treatment to patients who qualify within the established time limits is challenging.
Dennis Blair
EMSP play a vital role in identifying stroke victims and routing those patients to the closest facility that has the appropriate resources available to diagnose and treat stroke. Alabama would like to recognize their hard work, dedication, and dedication to their profession. They are required to undergo extensive training to earn and maintain their certifications. Without their professional dedication to the people, many Alabamians would be left without an adequate emergency safety net.
“We appreciate their important contribution to the health of Alabama’s citizens and salute their steadfast devotion to 
the EMS profession,” Dennis Blair, Director of the Office of EMS, said.“EMSP are often underpaid, overworked, and less respected than other health care providers. But these dedicated providers are the true angels of mercy. Whether at night, in the dark, or during a rain storm, the only hope of survival for a patient in a medical emergency are these dedicated health care professionals. It is time they are recognized for the benefit they provide to their communities and state.”
The Southeast Regional Pilot Acute Stroke System is a success story in getting more patients to rapid stroke treatment. This voluntary system supported by the Alabama Department of Public Health allows each stroke victim an opportunity for the best possible outcome. A statewide stroke system of care that will help ensure that patients experiencing stroke symptoms are transported to the closest hospital with the appropriate resources to care for them will be introduced soon to residents outside of the Southeast Alabama and Birmingham areas.
MEDIA RELEASE/ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH/Choona Lang,(334) 206-5383
