NAEMT announced Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) as this year’s recipient of the EMS Legislator of the Year Award, presented in conjunction with EMS On The Hill Day on April 20. This prestigious award recognizes a member of Congress who demonstrates an outstanding commitment and support of high-quality emergency medical care and the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals who serve our nation’s patients.

Sen. Cassidy said, "I am honored to receive the Legislator of the Year award from the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians. Emergency medical technicians and paramedics are on the front line of health care. I also thank NAEMT for their support of the Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act of 2015. This legislation will help get needed emergency medical technicians and paramedics into the workforce and help thousands of veterans with a smooth transition into civilian life.”

A native of Louisiana, Sen. Cassidy’s life has been one of service. He grew up in Baton Rouge and attended Louisiana State University and LSU Medical School, where he later taught medical students and residents. He co-founded a clinic for the working uninsured; created a private-public partnership to vaccinate against Hepatitis B; and led a team of volunteers to turn an abandoned store into a surge hospital to care for Hurricane Katrina evacuees. Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014, Dr. Cassidy serves on the following Senate committees: Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP), Energy and Natural Resources, Appropriations, Veterans Affairs and the Joint Economic Committee.

“Sen. Cassidy has the respect and gratitude of both emergency medical practitioners and military medics,” said NAEMT President Conrad “Chuck” Kearns. “Recognizing the training of military veterans and making it easier for them to enter the EMS workforce upon their return home is patriotic and will go a long way in addressing future shortages in EMS. The training learned in military service will complement the high-quality patient care provided by EMS practitioners and ensure that care in every community.”