Mounted search and rescue

[Una Smith <una.smith@att.net>]

From

http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=3&RecNum=4949

copied below is a press release concerning two new laws of the State
of Illinois to protect Good Samaritans.

        Una Smith
        New Mexico


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2006

Governor Blagojevich signs new laws to protect "Good Samaritans" who 
help injured people

Laws protect first responders, EMTs, individuals with first aid 
training who provide emergency medical assistance

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed two new laws 
that will protect people trained in first aid or medical response 
from being sued for trying to help injured people.  The new laws aim 
to alleviate worries by "Good Samaritans" that they could be sued for 
helping someone who is seriously injured.
 
"Good Samaritans should be thanked for helping people who are hurt -- 
not worried about getting sued.  Their quick thinking can help 
prevent an injury from becoming more serious and even save a life," 
said Governor Blagojevich.
 
Senate Bill 2303, sponsored by Sen. J. Bradley Burzynski (R-Sycamore) 
and Rep. Richard Myers (R-Macomb), protects any person who is 
currently certified in first aid by the American Red Cross or the 
American Heart Association and acts in good faith to administer free 
first aid from being sued by the people they are trying to help.  The 
provisions are effective July 1, 2006.
 
"Previously, someone may have taken a certified course in first aid, 
but they were not protected under the parameters of the Good 
Samaritan Act," explained Burzynski. "While I don't know of a 
specific situation where a lawsuit has been filed against a 
first-aid-certified Good Samaritan, unfortunately, in this day and 
age it is certainly possible that someone could attempt to help 
another person and unintentionally place themselves in the position 
of being susceptible to legal action.  This new law will protect 
people in those circumstances."
 
"Those who try to help people in need should not have to think twice 
before administering first aid out of fear they may be sued," said 
Rep. Myers. "People who are certified in first aid should be able to 
act without reservation in an emergency situation, and the law the 
Governor signed today will make that possible."
 
Senate Bill 2968, sponsored by Sen. Dan Cronin (R-Lombard) and Rep. 
Sandra Pihos (R-Glen Ellyn), provides protection from civil lawsuits 
for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and first responders who act 
in good faith to provide emergency care to injured people.  First 
responders are medically-trained volunteers who respond to the scene 
of an emergency and are able to offer emergency care before an 
ambulance arrives.  EMTs must complete a course of instruction in 
life support care and are licensed by the Illinois Department of 
Public Health.  Provisions of the act go into effect January 1, 2007.
 
"This bill has been drafted very narrowly, has bipartisan support in 
the legislature, and includes the fruits of talks with numerous 
groups and associations," Cronin said. "It is my hope that it will 
protect professionals with proper training from lawsuits that have no 
merit."
 
"There's no question the new law was needed," Pihos said. "It's 
already difficult to find people willing to serve as Emergency 
Medical Technicians or First Responders. The new law gives them 
needed immunity from being sued for trying to help."
 
Both new laws include an exception for willful and wanton misconduct 
on the part of the "Good Samaritan" in providing the emergency care.  
Firefighters and law enforcement officials already have similar 
protection from civil liability.