Awards Ceremony, Governor’s Proclamation Highlight
National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week in Arizona

John Coules wouldn’t be alive today if it wasn’t for Matt and Sally Hyatt and the Apache Junction Fire Department. Earlier this year, Coules nearly died and the Hyatts saved his life – Sally treated Coules with CPR, and Matt, a retired police officer, used an automated external defibrillator (AED) on Coules until emergency medical technicians arrived. 

To recognize their heroic acts, and as part of its National EMS Week activities, the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Save Hearts in Arizona Registry & Education (SHARE) Program will present the Hyatts with an award on Wednesday, May 18 at 9:00 a.m. behind the Health Department building at 150 N. 18th Ave. in Phoenix. Mr. Coules, the Hyatts and Dr. Ben Bobrow, EMS Medical Director for ADHS will be available at that time for interviews. 

Mr. Coules is grateful for EMS. “I am so grateful to Matt, Sally, and Denny (of Apache Junction Fire) for being willing to get involved in this life and death affair. Matt was responsible for the defibrillators being installed in the first place. I’m very fortunate that one was in place very close to where this happened. Matt’s training as a police officer was invaluable. I feel that I should do everything that I can to have these AEDs installed in as many places as possible.” Since being revived, Coules has become an advocate for having AEDs available in public places. He is working with the Apache Junction Fire Department, the SHARE Program, the Arizona Department of Health Services and his church to get more AEDs where people can get to them in an emergency.

“It is the mission of the SHARE Program for Arizona to have the highest survival rate in the world for Cardiac Arrest Victims, Bobrow said. “The SHARE Program promotes public awareness, education, training, and research in the optimal techniques for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).

May 15-21, 2005 is National EMS Week. Governor Janet Napolitano issued a proclamation declaring the week. EMS is being recognized to honor the lifesaving care that emergency medical service providers offer 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This year’s theme is Ready, Responsive and Reliable. EMS is ready and available anywhere and at any time, they are responsive in all weather conditions and they are reliable, serving the public with well-trained and courteous professionals.

“EMS is a vital part of every community, but recognition of its contribution is often lost in the broader focus on fire, police, public health and homeland security,” said ACEP President Robert E. Suter, DO. “The events during this week are important to bring together local communities to honor the more than 750,000 EMS providers nationwide and to raise public awareness about important health and safety issues.”

Additional resources available http://www.azdhs.gov/bems/ems_week2005.htm

- Media Alert/Award Ceremony to Honor Heroes

- Fact Sheets:

- How EMS works and structural outline

- Fire departments and their roles

- About Ambulances

- About Aero-medical/helicopters

- Hospitals and their role in EMS

- Recruitment and training – the role of community colleges and educators

- Other EMS agencies (Mountain Rescue Posse and Medical Rescue Patrol)

 - Governor Janet Napolitano’s Proclamation