Services team are ready to provide life saving care to those in need, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Thank you.

And whereas access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury.

And whereas emergency medical services fill health care gaps by providing important out of hospital care, including preventative medicine, follow-up care, and access to telemedicine.

And whereas the emergency medical system service, excuse me, services system consists of first responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, educators, administrators, pre-hospital nurses, emergency nurses, emergency physicians, trained members of the public, and other out of hospital medical care providers.

And whereas the Mobile Fire Rescue Department has been certified as an accredited agency through the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services, CAS, and maintains top-tier distinction as triple crown of accreditation combining fire agency accreditation through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International, accredited agency, emergency medical services accreditation with CAS and top-tier safety ratings as an ISO one rated agency.

Now, therefore, I Spiro Cheragatis, the 109th mayor of the City of Mobile, to hereby proclaim the week of May 17th through the 23rd, 2026 as National EMS Week in the City of Mobile.

Theme is EMS Week Improving Outcomes Together.

I encourage the community to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities in honor of the EMS profession and essential service it provides.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

One of the things that you did mention in that was about the CAST accreditation, which we undergo or underwent our renewal earlier last month, and I'm pleased to present that we had zero deficiencies out of everything that they looked at.

One of the things there's over 1,800 agencies throughout the entire nation with EMS services.

Only 187 have this accreditation through CAST.

Less than one percent of the nationwide.

So this is a big deal for the City of Mobile.

And then only one of we're only one of three in the entire state of Alabama that has this accreditation as well.

So again, putting this in front of our ISO, uh, the amount of work that goes into this.

Um we have our strategic planning, we have our EMS divisions, um, and then all of the members of our department put forth the effort to make sure that this accreditation, it's not just from me or my office, it's the entire department and the city that they look at, and we are by far shining right now when it comes to this accreditation.

So thank you, Mayor.

Congratulations.

All right, let's take a quick picture.

Congratulations again, Chief.

Thank you.

One quick thing, if I could announce also, as part of this accreditation, um, one of the things that we do is public outreach, and we're starting our Fridays at the firehouse.

We're starting that back uh this Friday, um, May 22nd at the public safety complex at 880 Airport Boulevard, 530 to 7:30.

Bring your family and friends out and kids, and uh let them see more about the fire department.

Thank you.

Thank you, Chief.

And I'll be calling you up in a minute to recognize the firefighter of the month.

But I do want to say that commission on accreditation of ambulance services that we call CAS, uh, it truly sets our fire department apart from others.

And uh as I said earlier today, and I'll say again, I think we truly have one of, if not the best fire department in the entire country.

Uh so thank you for your work.

Uh let's see.

Next up, I want to recognize Michela Bico, Marion McElroy, Carlo Pith, if y'all want to come on up.

Um is also recognized as Building Safety Month.

So we have a proclamation for that.

Whereas May is recognized nationally as Building Safety Month, a campaign dedicated to raising awareness about the critical importance of building safety, modern building codes, and the essential role they play in protecting lives, property, and the general welfare of our communities, and whereas building codes establish minimum standards that safeguard the health, safety, and quality of life for residents and visitors, ensuring that homes, businesses, and public spaces are constructed and maintained to withstand natural hazards and everyday use.

And whereas the City of Mobile relies on the professionalism, expertise, and commitment of its building safety professionals within inspection services permitting and municipal enforcement, whose work is vital to ensuring compliance with adopted codes and ordinances.

And whereas the City of Mobile has adopted ICC codes as part of its municipal ordinances, empowering build mobile inspection services and code enforcement inspectors to enforce these standards in order to promote safe construction, responsible development, and resilient neighborhoods.

And whereas the City of Mobile partners with the code officials of Lower Alabama, COLA, we like COLAs around here, the local chapter of the International Code Council, as well as the Home Builders Association of West of Metro Mobile and the surrounding construction and development community, recognizing that responsible construction and development are essential to the economic vitality, sustainable growth, and long-term prosperity of the community, while supporting professional development and best practices that advance compliance with current building safety standards.

Now, therefore, I Spiro Cherragatis, the 109th mayor of the City of Mobile, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2026 as Building Safety Awareness Month in the City of Mobile.

And I encourage all residents, businesses, and community partners to recognize the importance of building safety and to join and acknowledge acknowledging the dedicated professionals who work every day to keep our community safe.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

While you head this way, we've got um representatives from some of the other surrounding municipalities and uh code official representatives as well, and we invite them to come on down to take a quick photo.

And uh Carlo will introduce you all when you make your way.

She's from the city of Thames.

They'll also be issuing a proclamation this evening at their council meeting.

And we have Laura Although she's uh municipal enforcement officer with the city.

I'm also Carlo Tiff with the City of Mobile and current president of the COVID organization.

I handle the money.

That's a good job, too.

Thank y'all so much.

Thank you for what you do.

Thank you.

All right, you want to help me hold this?

Absolutely.

In the middle there, awesome.

Thank you.