firefighters, provide fire suppression, EMS, search and
rescue, hazardous materials response, terrorism response and
critical fire prevention and safety education.
(9) Approximately 60,000 emergency services
professionals in this Commonwealth respond to and treat a
variety of life-threatening emergencies, from cardiac and
respiratory arrest to traumatic injuries.
(10) First responders make personal sacrifices to
protect our communities, as witnessed in the aftermath of the
terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and of the natural
destruction caused by Hurricanes Katrina, Irene and Sandy.
They are called every day to protect individuals and property
in cities and towns across this Commonwealth.
(11) Many law enforcement officers die in the line of
duty in the United States each year, including nine killed in
2020 in Pennsylvania alone.
(12) More than 100 firefighters are killed in the line
of duty across the United States each year and thousands more
are injured.
(13) EMS answers more than 20 million patient calls
every year, and many medics are injured on the job, have been
assaulted by patients or have been exposed to infectious
diseases.
(14) EMS personnel in the United States have a fatality
rate of more than twice the national average for all other
workers.
(15) Thousands of first responders have made the
ultimate sacrifice.
(16) These men and women, by their dedicated
professionalism, have earned our gratitude and respect.
(b) First Responders Day.--The following apply:
(1) September 27 of each year is designated as "First
Responders Day."
(2) The Governor shall issue annually a proclamation
calling upon all public schools and educational institutions
to observe "First Responders Day" and to conduct exercises
recognizing the contributions and remembering the sacrifices
that first responders have made.
(3) "First Responders Day" may not be a paid holiday or
a day that school districts close.
2021/90MSP/SB0248A02550 - 2 -
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