Authorized in 1974 by President Gerald Ford, EMS Week honors the work done by paramedics and emergency medical technicians around the country.
This year's celebration runs through Saturday, and its theme is "EMS Strong 2020 — Ready Today. Preparing for Tomorrow.” And the current health crisis has underlined just how important the role of EMS workers has been during this time.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged the American healthcare system as a whole and EMS has been no exception," the U.S. Fire Administration said in a statement. "As emergency medical technicians and paramedics have continued to endure the long hours and sometimes heartwrenching situations inherent to the job over the last few months, they’ve had to do so with the knowledge that with every call they may come face to face with a highly contagious and potentially deadly airborne disease. Nevertheless, the brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to saving others under any condition took it in stride and continued to provide the best care to every patient with whom they came in contact."
Five days of the week have specific themes that focus on aspect of EMS work, according to the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians:
- Monday: EMS Education Day
- Tuesday: Safety Tuesday
- Wednesday: EMS for Children Day
- Thursday: Save-A-Life Day (CPR & Stop the Bleed)
- Friday: EMS Recognition Day
"Whether celebrated with a company cookout or a catered lunch; an open house, an awards ceremony or even quiet reflection about what it means to be an EMS practitioner, EMS Week is the perfect time to recognize EMS and all that its practitioners do for our nation," the NAEMT stated.
Go to the EMS Strong website for more information about EMS Week and ideas about how to celebrate this year.
