Rachel Engel

Rendering Aid

‘Thank you’: How the industry, local leaders and the public celebrated EMS Week

From the symbolic to the scrumptious, individuals around the country celebrated the annual celebration week in a variety of unique ways

It wasn’t a milestone year for the 46^th EMS honor week, but it was a momentous one. For the last 15 months, the spotlight has been trained on public safety as the pandemic raged, civil unrest sparked, and massive political upheaval created an intense demand for emergency response.

As always, EMS showed up and did as much as they could, in the time they were allowed, with the resources they were given, day after day after day, and continue to do so.

This week the country said, “Thank you.”

They said thank you with symbolism.

Honoring #EMSWeek & all our medical first responders by shining in yellow, white & blue with the @FDNY tonight! #ESBright pic.twitter.com/EyOruSYkqo
— Empire State Building (@EmpireStateBldg) May 16, 2021

On May 19th @UMassBoston will join other #Boston Landmarks & light up our Iconic Integrated Science Complex blue 💙 & orange 🧡 to celebrate the important work EMT's do in our communities across the Commonwealth.#EMSWeek #NationalEMSWeek. @BOSTON_EMS #bospoli #umass #umassboston pic.twitter.com/DPH1vEWWFe
— Philip J. Carver (@PhilipCarver) May 18, 2021

In honor of National EMS Week, we have placed blue light bulbs in the lighting outside of our fire station apparatus bays to thank all those for work/volunteer in EMS & remember those lost in line of duty for EMS. #EMSWEEK2021 #nationalemsweek #EMSStrong #EMSWeek @AHNtoday pic.twitter.com/4xyVQazZwN
— HolidayParkVFD (@HolidayParkVfd) May 18, 2021

Wailuku – MAUI

The Kalana O Maui Building will be lit light blue through Thursday in honor of National Emergency Medical Services. The theme for National EMS Week 2021 is “This is EMS: Caring For Our Communities.” pic.twitter.com/s3QUkyfDOJ
— County of Maui (@CountyofMaui) May 19, 2021

They said thank you with signs.

This year has been exceptionally trying on EMS and paramedics who have been on the front lines saving lives. Trumbull Regional Medical Center wishes our area EMS providers a happy #EMSWeek and thanks them for all of their hard work and dedication! #EMSstrong #HealthcareHeroes pic.twitter.com/mgaU9dKKyM
— TrumbullRegMC (@TrumbullRegMC) May 19, 2021

They said thank you with continuing education.

Our #Firefighter/EMCTs are currently undergoing biennial PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) training. This training equips our medics with skills and knowledge for treating critically sick and injured infants and children. #EMSweek #EMSforChildrenDay pic.twitter.com/7BLc551NnA
— Mesa (Arizona) Fire & Medical Dept (@MesaFireDept) May 19, 2021

Today is #SaveALifeDay! Help save a life before EMS arrives by learning Hands Only CPR and Stop the Bleed. Live in Mid-Missouri? Email savemohearts@health.missouri.edu to schedule these courses for free! #HandsOnlyCPR #StopTheBleed #EMSWeek pic.twitter.com/8f140FNfiL
— University Ambulance (@MizzouEMS) May 20, 2021

They said thank you with food.

Thank you @GWHospital for the #EMSWeek cakes being delivered to each fire house. #DCsBravest at Engine 14 and throughout the city are grateful! #EMSStrong pic.twitter.com/QgGm9LvIu1
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) May 19, 2021

What a special treat we received today from Maricopa Ambulance! Thank YOU! 🤤 😋 #OneTeam #goodyearfire #EMSWeek #maricopaambulance pic.twitter.com/AygUULDw4w
— Goodyear Fire Dept. (@goodyearfire) May 19, 2021

Our paramedics are enjoying #EMSWeek! @SetonMCW helped celebrate by giving out hot dogs, lemonade & sodas for all the EMS employees to enjoy between calls. Paramedics Donald “DJ” Jenkins (left) and Aaron Laurence (middle) enjoyed a snack during a break. pic.twitter.com/vSQdEe4R9E
— Preparing WilCo (@PreparingWilCo) May 20, 2021

Mercy Hospital held festivities all week to celebrate our amazing EMS. Emergency Departement Director Dr. Robert Bramante served up BBQ while Associate Director Dr. Sanjay Shetty managed the grill. Thank you to all our EMS for everything that you do. #EMSWeek #CatholicHealthLI pic.twitter.com/o2QTJ3gDZm
— Mercy Hospital (@MercyHospitalLI) May 19, 2021

To kick off #NationalEMSWeek yesterday, we passed out boxed lunches to EMS workers! Thank you to all of the #HealthcareHeroes who stopped by. #EMSWeek pic.twitter.com/Be9YiDwX6R
— St John's Episcopal Hospital (@StJohnsEpisHosp) May 18, 2021

They said thank you with recognition.

This morning, MCHD EMS Chief @_James_Campbell was proud to read the official #EMS Week Proclamation for Montgomery County. Thank you to Montgomery County Commissioners Court for recognizing our hardworking paramedics and EMTs May 16th - May 22nd for #EMSWEEK2021! pic.twitter.com/yoqOgrc29X
— MCHD_TX (@MCHD_TX) May 11, 2021

Taking a trip back in time to celebrate #EMSWeek. Honoring the inaugural PFD EMS class with a proclamation from the City for their dedication and service, an effort that continues through today’s providers. Of the 9 members who graduated in 1989, 4 remain on our force. Thank you! pic.twitter.com/ZF25T9xUki
— Philadelphia Fire (@PhillyFireDept) May 19, 2021

As part of the #EMSWeek celebration, TransCare crew members were presented with a TransCare/Crisis Center challenge coin. #Tampa #TampaBay pic.twitter.com/Sg7sAAtzrG
— Crisis Center of Tampa Bay (@CrisisCenterTB) May 19, 2021

Stopped by to thank the members of the Mohegan Volunteer Ambulance Corps and deliver a town proclamation for #EMSWeek! pic.twitter.com/3j7tFxd5PV
— Matt Slater (@matt4yorktown) May 19, 2021

About the author

Rachel Engel is an award-winning journalist and the senior associate editor of FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. In addition to her regular editing duties, Engel seeks to tell the heroic, human stories of first responders and the importance of their work. She earned her bachelor's degree in communications from Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma, and began her career as a freelance writer, focusing on government and military issues. Engel joined Lexipol in 2015 and has since reported on issues related to public safety. Engel lives in Wichita, Kansas. She can be reached via email.