Surgeon general assures first responders he supports them

Jace Radke

Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2003 | 9:11 a.m.

Surgeon General Richard Carmona promised a group of paramedics and first responders that he wouldn't forget them while working to advance and protect the health of the nation.

Carmona, a doctor who is a former paramedic, spoke to more than 1,000 people at the Emergency Medical Services Expo at the Las Vegas Hilton on Tuesday, said first responders have to set an example in the post-Sept. 11 world.

"Our EMS systems are second to none," Carmona said. "Before 9-11 people may have taken EMS for granted. Now the fashion isn't DKNY, it's FDNY and NYPD."

Carmona, who was appointed to his position by President Bush in August 2002, told the first responders that they have to stay prepared physically and mentally as preventing terrorism becomes part of their responsibilities.

"When events like 9-11 show up on our doorstep we don't have time to go work out before attacking the problem," Carmona said. "We have over 9 million kids in the country that are obese, and we need to be examples to them.

"The problems that the country is facing with obesity is the terror within."

Carmona also said mental health and disparities in health care are other areas where needs are not being met.

"On a given day 20 percent of the population are dealing with mental health problems with no treatment options," Carmona said. "Put 9-11 on top of that and we have even more problems."

Some of those with poor mental health are the first responders themselves, who are expected to take traumatic incidents in stride as they work to save lives, Carmona said.

"Who takes care of the care-givers?" Carmona said. "First responders have a hard time saying they need help, and that's why agencies need to have programs in place to help rehabilitate their people mentally."

A disparity in health care treatment was another issue Carmona addressed, saying that access to such care for minorities remains a problem.