By Pat Elmes, EMT/P (Ret.)
EMS Manager, American College of Emergency Physicians
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) kicks off the 39th annual EMS Week May 20 with this theme: “EMS: More than a job. A calling.”
EMS Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to publicize safety, educate the public about their EMS system and to honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of those on medicine’s front line. The three primary goals of EMS Week:
- Promote your EMS service within your community
- Educate the public on safety and health-related topics
- Provide information on new EMS clinical procedures or equipment to the EMS providers
EMS practitioners don’t get into this field for big salaries, comfortable working conditions or nine-to-five hours. They have a calling to help and care for others in their hour of need. The “calling” of EMS not only includes outstanding day-to-day practice of patient care but innovation and strides in patient care, provider and patient safety, community awareness and injury prevention.
“EMS professionals have a true calling to assist others who are sick or injured,” said ACEP President David Seaberg, M.D., FACEP. “EMS at all levels represents hope to people in their most critical times of need. This calling comes through in their spirit of dedication, professionalism and commitment 24 hours a day.”
This year marks an exciting time for EMS. The industry has been instrumental in the development of field STEMI identification, early cardiac team notification and intervention, refinement of early stroke identification and transport to pre-identified stroke centers for definitive care.
Cooperative efforts nationwide have resulted in exploration of better EMS system use and efficiency through community paramedicine programs as well as reducing call volumes through early intervention and education.
While EMS providers are encouraged to concentrate activities during the actual EMS Week, the lessons of safety and appreciation can be applied every day.
Some ideas to celebrate EMS Week are in the EMS Week Planning Guide at www.emsweek.org and our National EMS Week Facebook page. Additional suggestions:
- Recognizing EMS Week through a municipal, county or State proclamation
- Plan a community banquet or picnic to thank EMS professionals
- Schools kids writing thank-you notes to local EMS workers
- Plan an EMS open house
- Establish an EMS Honor Guard
- Launch a Children’s Safety Program on EMSC day, May 23
- Share EMSC day with children treated by EMS or those currently undergoing care
- Have an EMS Day at a professional sports game with an announcement recognizing the EMS professionals in attendance
On behalf of ACEP, I wish all of you a happy EMS week and give our thanks to you for accepting the calling that is EMS.