§ 3051. Declaration of purpose. Emergency medical services provided
to those suffering from sudden illness or injury have potential to
reduce the incidence of disability and death and are therefore,
invaluable. A training program of high quality is the key to assuring
that emergency medical services personnel have the knowledge and skills
to care for acutely ill and injured patients in a manner which will
prevent further illness and injury. There is therefore a need to provide
flexible, diverse and high quality training opportunities which are
reasonably available, particularly to volunteers who devote considerable
time, effort, and often personal resources, to improve or retain their
knowledge and skills. The state has a responsibility to support and
further the work of those who provide emergency medical care by
providing needed instructional resources.

The purpose of this article is to expand and improve training
opportunities for emergency medical service personnel, thereby
benefiting all the residents of New York state who rely on the services
of these personnel.