NW Illinois News

In honor of National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week, state Sen. Neil Anderson (R-Moline) recently thanked EMS workers for their sacrifices in a job that doesn't come with much thanks.

National EMS Week was May 16 through 22. Anderson, a first responder himself who was recently appointed to the state 911 advisory board, spoke in a video from the Illinois State Senate Republican Caucus on May 21. 

"Happy EMS Week to all the first responders out there," Anderson said. "[As] a paramedic myself, I understand what you guys go through and sometimes it's a thankless job. It's a job that sometimes isn't worth the pay."

In earlier reporting from Rock Island Today, Anderson said that public safety is extremely important to him and that he became a Moline Fire Department firefighter and paramedic because of it. 

"Just want to say thank you for the passion that you put into your job," Anderson continued. "Thank you for always being there, for always responding."

This year marked the 46th year that National EMS Week was recognized. It is presented by the National Association of EMTs and the American College of Emergency Physicians.

"This past year with COVID, we’ve been through the ringer, and I want to say thank you for getting on the rig every day when the tones go off, and responding to do your job," Anderson said. "So, thank you."

Anderson was also recently in the news for introducing legislation to revoke the firearm owner identification (FOID) law.

The FOID Act was created over 50 years ago, and Anderson filed SB 1754 to eliminate the need to possess a FOID card.

“The citizens of Illinois should no longer have to deal with the unnecessary burden of applying and renewing a FOID card that has outlived its purpose,” Anderson said. “It’s just another way of impeding on law-abiding citizens’ Second Amendment right.”