§ 3061. Declaration of purpose. Trauma is the leading cause of death
and disability during the first four decades of life. In the aftermath
of the events of September eleventh, two thousand one, the medical
response to natural and man-made disasters is also recognized as a
public concern of the highest order. The furnishing of emergency
medical, trauma, and disaster care is therefore a matter of vital
concern affecting the public health, safety and welfare. Emergency
medical, trauma, and disaster care, the planning and coordination of
such care between prehospital and inhospital personnel and collaborating
public health, safety, and welfare officials, the quality management and
review of such care, and the development and maintenance of a statewide
system for interfacility transfer, including but not limited to
aeromedical transport, of critically ill or injured patients between
general hospitals and other health care facilities, are essential public
health services. It is the purpose of this article to promote the public
health, safety and welfare by providing for development and maintenance
of systems for emergency medical, trauma, and disaster care, and for
expeditious transfer of patients in need of such care to facilities
appropriately staffed and equipped to provide this care in a timely and
effective manner.