Happy New Year.

As you can see, I am not the President Pro Tem.

Um, and so she is uh at a conflicting meeting.

So I am stepping in today.

I'm Councilmember Terry Vowe.

And I'm very excited.

I know we have two announcements today, and we are gonna begin um with RS 2024-805.

Um, it is for the National Fire Department EMS 50th anniversary resolution, and this will be presented by Councilmember Swara.

Thank you, Madam Pro Tem.

Uh, colleagues, uh, I will ask that those of you that can join us here to please do so.

And those that cannot join us, if we will please stand while we read this proclamation.

This is for the 50 anniversary of EMS, 50 years of saving lives and helping our constituents.

I think that we all sign on.

Everybody was uh party to this, and I think that it takes all of us to be able, we can't even thank them enough.

Uh, but I wanted to acknowledge all the great work that they're doing.

And so if you could join, I would appreciate that.

And if you cannot, if you'll please uh stand in position, please.

Uh this is IS 2024-805.

It's a resolution celebrating 50 years of Nashville Fire Department's EMS.

Whereas on November 1st, 1974, the Nashville Fire Department's emergency medical services EMS division was officially established, making it significant milestone in public safety, an emergency care for the metropolitan government of Nashville and Davidson County, and whereas the EMS division began its service with eight ambulances uh in operation.

Staffed staffed by a dedicated team of 60 personnel who committed themselves to providing life-saving care and rapid response to medical emergencies throughout the community and whereas for 50 years, the Nashville Fire Department EMS has been an integral part of the city's emergency response system, continuously evolving and expanding its capabilities to meet the growing needs of a diverse and dynamic population, and whereas the Nashville Fire Department EMS has consistently demonstrated excellence in medical care, professionalism, and compassion, ensuring the safety and well-being of Nashville's residents and visitors in times of critical need, and whereas the EMS division has responded to countless emergencies, offering critical interventions and pre-hospital care, and its members have worked tirelessly in collaboration with other emergency services to safeguard the health and security of the community.

And whereas the achievements of the Nashville Fire Department EMS over the past five decades have been made possible by the dedication, skill, and sacrifice of its personnel, past and present, who have remained committed to saving lives and serving the public.

And whereas the 50th anniversary of the Nashville Fire Department EMS presents a unique opportunity to reflect on the progress made since its founding and to honor the legacy of those who have contributed to its success.

And whereas it is fitting and proper, the Metropolitan Council recognize this historic occasion and recognize the dedicated members of the Nashville Fire Department EMS staff.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County that the Metropolitan County Council hereby recognizes and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Nashville Fire Department EMS, commends the extraordinary service of its personnel and expresses its deepest gratitude for their unwavering commitment to the health and safety of Nashville and Davidson County.

And that this copy of the resolution be provided to the leadership and personnel of the Nashville Fire Department EMS is a token of appreciation for their 50 years of service.

This resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Thank you, Councilpersons.

Thank you very much.

I really appreciate it.

This is an honor that you would even think about it.

Um our men and women who work for our department do so not because it's a business for the past 50 years, but because it's engraved in their philosophy and what they believe that they truly are reaching out and helping our community, the community that they live in.

So this is an honor.

And for 50 years, we've touched these our communities' lives in a positive way.

And so for me to represent the department today and to accept this, um council lady Zolfett, I know you led the charge on this, so we really want to recognize you as well.

And we have one member of our department who is still coming to work from 1974, November the first, 1974.

Um he hasn't missed a beat.

So uh Bill Nolan is his name.

So thank you.

Thank you all.

Thank you for recognizing us.

We we cherish this moment, and hopefully we'll have several hundred more years ahead of us.

Oh, if you would have to get around, okay guys.

As they get their group picture, just want to once again congratulate National Fire Department EMS for 50 years, and uh, we can't wait for the next 50.

So, congratulations.

Wonderful.

And we have a second presentation tonight, and it is um with Councilmember Bradford.

Um, they will be doing resolution RS 2024-954 with dry January resolution, and I will send it over to Councilmember Bradford.

Thank you.

Just want to give opportunity for anyone who wants to uh join us with presenting this to uh join us at the podium.

So this is a resolution declaring January 2025 as dry January USA month, recognizing Maharry Medical College as the national leader for dry January USA, highlighting the trans transformational yellow campaign and addressing the broad impact of alcohol on health, safety, and society.

Whereas Maharry Medical College established in 1876 has become a beacon of hope for underserved communities, a pioneer in public health, and a leader in addressing systemic health disparities with its leadership of Dry January USA, reinforcing its mission to promote health, equity, and healthier lifestyles and whereas since 2022, Maharia Medical College has been the home of Dry January USA, leading a national movement to encourage individuals to reflect on their relationship with alcohol, adopt healthier habits, and reduce the harmful impacts of excessive alcohol use.

And whereas Dry January USA, originally developed by Alcohol Change UK in 2013 has grown from 4,000 participants to millions worldwide, and under Maharry Medical College's stewardship has become a transformative movement promoting mindful drinking habits, healthy equity, and public health education, and whereas dry January is an effort to allow everyone to put a mirror up to their own relationship with alcohol in a supportive and non-judgmental environment, and recognizing that every person and community has its own journey to education and self-awareness regarding alcohol and recognizing that the official and free try dry app has been shown to correspond with a greater success for those choosing to observe dry January and whereas dry January has embraced yellow as its official color, symbolizing hope, positivity, and personal growth.

The theme Go Yellow in January serves as a rallying cry for action, encourages individuals to go first one go yellow by embarking on their alcohol-free journey in January.

Two, be yellow by embodying optimism, happiness, and resilience.

This one here.

Whereas Tennessee's significant challenges related to alcohol use with a 98% increase in alcohol-related deaths between 2012 and 2022.

Over 70,000 alcohol-related ER visits annually are concerning patterns of excessive drinking across demographics including youth, higher income individuals, and those in professions like music and hospitality.

Whereas Nashville status is Music City is a vibrant music and hospitality industry, amplifies alcohol's normalization and tolerance by binge drinking culture and associate harm and further underscores the importance of dry January and USA initiatives, promote health, safety, and alternative lifestyle choices.

Whereas alcohol is classified as a group one carcinogen by the World Health Organization, significantly increasing the risk of several cancers, including moat, mouth, throat, esophageal, liver, breast, and colorctal cancers, with rising sharply even to with light to moderate consumption, contributing to 2,000 U.S.