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WHEREAS, each year residents and visitors to our community may require emergency medical care for traumatic injuries, burns, poisonings, spinal cord injuries, heart attacks and other critical medical emergencies; and

WHEREAS, emergency care personnel give selflessly of themselves for the welfare of others. Jackson Emergency Medical Services (EMS), originally established as Jackson Township First Aid Squad, has been doing so since 1953; and

WHEREAS, Starting March 1, 2020 the Jackson EMS officially resumed taking over 24 hour, 7 day a week service for the entire town, after 29 years and ironically, just days before the COVID-19 global pandemic was declared. They have since handled at least 325 patients related to COVID; and

WHEREAS, Jackson EMS is currently staffed with 34 EMTs, and 3 full-time employees including its Chief, Al Couceiro. Since taking over the daytime service they have responded to 3,337 daytime calls, with an overall total of 4,880 calls in 2020 alone; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of our community benefit greatly from the knowledge, skills, and dedication of these emergency medical service specialists, as they work to ensure prompt and appropriate treatment at the scene and on the way to the hospital. Jackson EMS has received over 30 compliments from those they have served in the community since March 1, 2020.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Michael Reina, Mayor of the Township of Jackson, County of Ocean, State of New Jersey, do here wish to publicly recognize and commend the Jackson Emergency Medical Services staff and Chief Al Couceiro for their dedication and outstanding service to the community. Your unwavering commitment is invaluable and deeply appreciated.

MICHAEL REINA MAYOR

Andrew Kern Martin Flemming Alexander Sauickie Steve Chisholm, Jr Nino Borrelli

Dated: April 13, 2021