Request for a letter writing campaign

[Richard B the EMT]

This is a request for an e-mail be sent to your NY state Senator and State Assembly representative, regarding all our safety, specifically, rear facing blue lights, which are not currently allowed on EMS vehicles. Feel free to use my letter as format, adding or subtracting details as you see fit.

Dear Senator xxxxx and Assemblywoman xxxxx:

As an Emergency Medical Technician of 37 years experience, I ask that you support Bills A7919 and S5483, relating to rear facing blue lights on ALL Emergency Vehicles. The current law does

not include ambulances, emergency ambulance service vehicles, or county EMS vehicles.

Studies have shown that a rear projecting blue light can enhance traffic safety at roadway scenes, particularly on fast moving highways, where emergency service providers are operating. In

addition to Law Enforcement and Fire Service agencies, personnel and vehicles from ambulance services, County EMS, and Deputy EMS Coordinators also often respond to roadway and highway

incidents, to deliver critical emergency medical care.

In order to further incorporate our state's emergency responders (including volunteer ambulance service members) into this important safety measure, this bill would provide for the display of rear

projecting blue lights on ambulances, emergency ambulance service, and County EMS vehicles, in the same manner as already allowed for Law Enforcement and Fire Service vehicles. This would

add consistancy for all our state's emergency vehicles.

These bills would recognize the vital public safety service provided to communities throughout the State of New York by these agencies. Further, this will enable the Department of Motor Vehicles

to update and adopt a uniform standard for rear projecting blue lights on various emergency service vehicles.

In addition to the New York State Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association, of which I am a member, this bill has recieved the support of the Firemen's Association of the State of New York,

the United New York Ambulance Network, the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs, and the Association of EMS Coordinators. At the most recent meeting of the New York State Emergency

Medical Services Council, this bill received unanimous support.

On behalf of all Emergency Medical Service providers in New York, I

thank you, in advance, for the support you have shown, and continue to show, to

New York State EMS professionals.

Respectfully,

(Name),

New York State Emergency Medical Technician.

(Address)

(Telephone)

(E-Mail)