ATLANTA- (Jan. 13, 2010) – Sen. Preston Smith (R-Rome) introduced the Volunteer Emergency Assistance Bill (SB 315) which allows out of state licensed emergency personnel to assist the state in the event of a disaster. It seeks to ensure organization and rapid medical attention during a disaster.
“Our sister states like Louisiana and Mississippi have found themselves unable to respond adequately to mass causalities following Hurricane Katrina and Rita. Our state also has seen its share of natural disasters, most recently with the deadly flooding in September. In a time of a large scale emergency, assistance from any and all volunteers is crucial to ensuring the safety of Georgia citizens,” said Sen. Smith. “With this bill, safety measures and guidelines will be instilled so that in the event of a natural or man-made disaster, the appropriate medical attention can be brought to our state.”
Specifically, the bill allows physicians, medical providers, and veterinarians who are licensed in good standing in their home states, to enter Georgia with a temporary license and gives those volunteers immunity from civil liability. The Volunteer Emergency Assistance bill reflects the “Good Samaritan Law,” in that it protects volunteers from liability in aiding those who are injured or ill. In the event the Governor declares a state of emergency, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and the federal government will issue expedited temporary licenses.
“Today as we watch footage of the wreckage left behind by the earthquake in Haiti, the importance of rapid and organized emergency assistance cannot be overstated. My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Haiti as they recover from this devastating tragedy,” added Sen. Smith.
This bill will make it easier for volunteers to cross state lines if an unforeseen disaster occurs, and help is needed. With legitimate professionals on hand, recovery time will shorten, making the process more organized. The bill seeks to engage in the most effective way to handle and carry out additional medical attention in the event of a disaster.
For more information on the Georgia State Senate or to view the Volunteer Emergency Assistance bill, please visit www.senate.ga.gov.
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Sen. Preston Smith serves as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He represents the 52nd Senate District which includes Floyd County and portions of Bartow and Gordon counties. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0034 or by e-mail at preston.smith@senate.ga.gov.
For Immediate Release:
January 13, 2010
For Information Contact:
Kallarin Richards, Senior Communications Specialist
Meredith Rich, Press Aide
Kallarin.richards@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028