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EMS Week post with captions from providers about on-duty attacks goes viral

KCFD Station 10 posts with an image of an ambulance and captions from providers about their violent encounters has over 3,000 shares

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KCFD Station 10/Facebook

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In a social media post, organizers said they wanted to move beyond normal EMS Week celebrations and instead highlight the challenges faced by emergency medical professionals, especially the growing threat of violence in healthcare settings.

KCFD Station 10’s post, featuring images of an ambulance, captioned with violent encounters providers have experienced on duty, calls attention to growing safety concerns for EMS professionals.

“Just like Nurses Week, we are choosing to stand for those who answer the call, day or night, in any weather, at any scene,” the post read. It currently has over 3,000 shares

The message concluded with a heartfelt salute: “Happy EMS Week 2025, brothers and sisters!”

Situational awareness is highlighted as a critical skill for EMS providers, enabling them to anticipate, assess, and respond to potentially volatile situations effectively.

These resources aim to equip EMS personnel with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate and mitigate the risks associated with their critical roles in emergency medical services.

Protecting EMS Providers from Violence
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Funding approved by the Central Texas Public Safety Commission will outfit all Austin Fire Department and Austin-Travis County EMScrews with upgraded body armor
An Mecklenburg EMS MEDIC ambulance was hit by gunfire, renewing calls for state funding to equip EMS with ballistic vests.

Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.