Dated: May 28, 2025
RECOGNITION OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES 50TH ANNIVERSARY
1975 - 2025
WHEREAS, EMS Week is the time we honor the entire EMS profession and its importance in protecting the safety and health of our citizens, from providing highly skilled ambulance care, serving as educators, administering community paramedicine, and conducting research; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 EMS Week’s theme is "We Care. For Everyone," which reminds us EMS professionals are there for our community, whenever and wherever they are needed; and
WHEREAS, The Fire Department team, lead by Chief Matt Samson, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary of Emergency Medical Services, and became the first fire department in San Mateo County to provide comprehensive paramedic transport services; and
WHEREAS, in 1975 14 firefighters underwent Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training, followed by advanced paramedic training at Stanford University, and an internship in Los Angeles, which was a leader in paramedic programs at the time, to become certified; and
WHEREAS, the first paramedic vehicle in South City was a customized yellow Ford van equipped with essential medical equipment and communication tools; and WHEREAS, the City of South San Francisco Fire Department continues to be the only fire department in the county offering transport services, operating two Advanced Life Support (ALS) Paramedic Rescue Ambulances and one Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance staffed by EMTs and a rescue boat, providing critical services to the community daily.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of South San Francisco does hereby recognize May 18 - 24, 2025 as EMS Week and celebrates 50 years of EMS services in South San Francisco and thanks our Fire Department for consistently performing outstanding public service. ________________________________
Eddie Flores, Mayor, District 5
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Mark Addiego, Vice Mayor, District 1
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James Coleman, Councilmember, District 4
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Mark Nagales, Councilmember, District 2
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Flor Nicolas, Councilmember, District 3