Maine
Maine EMS celebrates the 50th National EMS Week
AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) – May 19-25, 2024, marks the 50th anniversary of National EMS Week. This year’s theme is “Honoring Our Past, Forging Our Future.”
Friends of Maine for EMS, EMS professionals, and state lawmakers gathered in Augusta Thursday at the Maine EMS Memorial and Education site for a tribute to those in emergency medical services.
Every aspect of the EMS system was represented.
“It certainly does remind us of the need to acknowledge the foundational work of those who came before us while also striving to build and lead the EMS system we envision for our future,” Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross told those in attendance.
Over the past decades, Maine has experienced the loss of EMS providers in the line of duty.
Eight EMS community members were honored Thursday.
Maine EMS has come a long way in 50 years, but Friends of EMS for Maine, which was founded in 2019, says more work needs to be done to support those who care for us.
“We are in trouble as a system. There is no question about it,” said Kevin McGinnis, President of Friends of EMS for Maine.
In addition, lawmakers spoke about this essential service we often take for granted.
“The time and commitment that you put in for the training and the time away from your families, it doesn’t go unnoticed,” said Senate President Troy Jackson.
In 2022, the state legislature established the Blue Ribbon Commission to help learn more about the challenges EMS professionals face and how to address those.
In February 2024, the commission issued its final report with recommendations to provide more funding for EMS, increase MaineCare reimbursement rates for ambulance services, among others.
Members say progress has been made, but not enough.
“This session ended with some work of the Blue Ribbon Commission being lost. We will not stand for that,” said Rep. Suzanne Salisbury, D-Westbrook, a member of the EMS Blue Ribbon Commission. “We will come back in the next session and bring that work back. The time for action is now. We will not slow down. Lives depend on it.”
“Everyone in our towns must know the essentialness of your service and that it costs,” said Sen. Chip Curry, D-Waldo, co-chair of the EMS Blue Ribbon Commission.
“We made long overdue investments in this system, and I know it is just a start but with these great people we’re going to continue to send a strong signal of what is to come and what’s needed,” Jackson added.
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PORTLAND (WGME) — Mild temperatures and lots of clouds will rule the sky on Wednesday before some light rain and snow showers overnight.
Enjoy the mild temperatures while they last as it is turning cold by week’s end.
Lots of clouds will rule the sky for the next few days in Maine. High temps will also sit in the low-to-mid 40s for the day.
Wednesday evening.{ }(WGME)
The next chance for some precipitation will move in Wednesday evening through the nighttime hours as mostly rain with some mountain snow.
Look for some fog and areas of drizzle overnight too.
Thursday morning.{ }(WGME)
Rain will head out early Thursday morning followed by lots of cold, Canadian air.
Highs will still run in the low 40s ahead of a cold front shifting through early Thursday evening.
Once that front exits, expect to not leave the mid 20s on Friday.
Wind chills will be in the negatives and single digits to start Friday morning.
Weekend forecast.{ }(WGME)
The weekend looks calmer, with a round of snow and rain likely Saturday night through Sunday morning.
Temperatures will be back in the 30s after a cold end to the work and school week.
Incoming cold air.{ }(WGME)
Lots of cold air is set to enter the United States next week in waves.
Temperature outlook.{ }(WGME)
The next 8 to 14 days showcase below-normal temperatures around New England.
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You might not give a lot of thought to your two license plates. Maybe only looking at them when you renew your registration or when you got the new pine tree design. But those plates play an important role on the road.
Karyn asked the CBS13 I-Team:
“I see a lot of cars on the road with only a rear license plate. We are issued two plates at the time of registration. Do we actually have to display both on our car? Also, can you be fined for only having one plate?”
Maine law does require drivers to display two license plates. One on the front and one on the back.
The state says that requirement, which has been in place since the 90s, makes cars more visible to law enforcement and helps with automated tolling on the Maine Turnpike.
A driver can be fined if they don’t properly display both plates.
According to state data, convictions for improperly displaying a registration plate have gone up the past few years. Though the numbers are still small compared to the total number of vehicles on the road.
In 2021, there were 63. Seventy convictions in 2022 and in 2023 and 2024, there were around 140.
The are some exemptions to the two-plate law. That includes motorcycles and trailers.
While most states have similar laws, about 20 only require a rear license plate.
The Maine Legislature has debated bills that would remove the front plate requirement in the past, but none have passed.
Have a question for CBS13 I-Team? Call their tip line at (207) 228-7713 or send an email to tips@wgme.com.
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