DATE: Thursday, May 22, 1997                TAG: 9705210208

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 19   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: EMS WEEK 

SOURCE: BY SUSIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: SUFFOLK                           LENGTH:   39 lines

FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL OPEN SOME STATIONS TO THE PUBLIC

The Fire Department will have open house Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at three stations to culminate National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week.

Stations that will be open are number one at 400 Market St.; two at 110 Walnut St.; and three at 837 Lake Kilby Road. In conjunction with the American College of Emergency Physicians, the National EMS Week honors about 750,000 EMS providers nationwide who offer lifesaving care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This year's theme is ``EMS: making a difference . . . for life.''

``This year's theme emphasizes how important our people have been to our success,'' said Chief Mark R. Outlaw. ``It is an opportunity to say thanks and to honor their outstanding efforts.''

Suffolk Fire Department was the first municipal fire department in Hampton Roads to provide advanced life support engine companies - fire engines equipped with emergency medical equipment and staffed by emergency medical technicians who can provide cardiac and paramedic support. These ALS providers are able to administer life saving drugs, cardiac medications and provide advanced airway management.

EMS Week is an opportunity for the public to learn about injury prevention, safety awareness and emergency preparedness. Fire officials offer these reminders:

Post emergency telephone numbers on each phone in your home.

Make sure your house numbers are clear and visible from the street.

If you need emergency services at night, turn on the outside lights to help EMS responders find you.

When speaking to the dispatcher, be prepared to explain what has happened, and give your telephone number. Stay on the line until the dispatcher tells you to hang up.

Open house visitors may view the various types of rescue equipment.

For more information, call the public information bureau at 925-5742.

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu