NEWSLETTERS MY ACCOUNT
Trending Topics
EMS Week 2026

In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation’s communities. NAEMT and ACEP will partner to celebrate EMS Week May 17-23, 2026, to celebrate and recognize the important contributions of EMS practitioners in safeguarding the health, safety and wellbeing of their communities.

Thank you for your sacrifices, dedication and service to your communities. Happy EMS Week from EMS1.

EMS Week: What you need to know

What is EMS Week?

EMS Week is an annual observance in the United States that celebrates the work of emergency medical services professionals, including paramedics, EMTs, and other prehospital care providers, sponsored by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) in partnership with the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT). EMS Week brings awareness to the role EMS plays in public health, promotes education about emergency care, and provides an opportunity to recognize the contributions of EMS professionals.

When is EMS Week 2026?

EMS Week 2026 takes place from May 17 to May 23.

What is the theme of EMS Week 2026?

The theme for EMS Week 2026 is Improving outcomes, together.

How can EMS agencies celebrate EMS Week?

Common EMS Week activities include community outreach, public education events, social media campaigns, recognition ceremonies and training opportunities.
poster.jpg
EMT, EMS, Paramedic Jobs and Careers
EMT partners: ‘The people that really make it happen’ on calls
Kelly Grayson: “Paramedics save lives, EMTs save paramedics"; championing the role of EMTs
May 17, 2024 01:09 PM
 · 
Inside EMS Podcast
US-NEWS-RIVERSIDE-COUNTY-HOSPITALS-HIT-99-LA.JPG
Patient Transportation
Building a culture of patient advocacy
It’s important to foster effectiveness, professionalism and excellency; as well as core values of human decency, empathy, kindness and respect
May 16, 2024 11:03 AM
 · 
Tamara Jones, NRP
Moscow_Volunteer_Fire_&_Ambulance.jpg
EMS Advocacy
Equality, professional respect and parity in pay
Reflecting on how far EMS has come in 50 years
May 16, 2024 10:41 AM
 · 
Kelly Grayson, AGS, NRP, CCP
Load More
How your community can celebrate EMS Week
EMS Week began in 1974; here’s how to get your community to issue a proclamation celebrating the men and woman providing care on the front line
September 02, 2014 07:51 PM
 · 
EMS1 & NEMSMA
FDNY’s medics and EMTs shine during EMS Week
Here’s how the 3,300 EMS providers who make up FDNY EMS celebrate EMS Week
September 02, 2014 07:50 PM
 · 
EMS1 & NEMSMA
EMS Advocacy
Medical director explains what public needs to know about EMS
Q&A with Sabina Braithwaite, M.D., M.P.H. on the importance of safety culture, EMS week and why the public needs to better understand EMS
September 02, 2014 07:47 PM
 · 
EMS1 & NEMSMA
Off-duty EMT pulls woman from bottom of hotel pool
He performed CPR until firefighters arrived; she was listed in critical condition
June 04, 2014 06:53 AM
How my personal story saved a life
Speaking in front students about my scars is tough, but this one girl’s reaction reminded me why its worth it
May 27, 2014 02:04 PM
I was grateful for tape and dirty laundry for a c-spine on Thanksgiving
The PIC arrived on scene, took one look at my superstar c-spine and started laughing. “Kid,” he said, “You’re gonna make one hell of a medic!”
May 27, 2014 01:51 PM
Managing multiple injuries in a foggy, six-car pileup
One car was under the tractor trailer and six others were piled up behind with people in various forms of injury, inside and outside of their vehicles
May 27, 2014 01:48 PM
How I freed a state trooper injured in a barrel roll
The way he was suspended by the seat belt, he appeared to be suffering from positional asphyxia; I wedged myself underneath him and was able to lift him up so he wasn’t hanging on his vest
May 27, 2014 01:27 PM
Car crash before EMS graduation shows dedication in a dress
There is nothing like doing a trauma assessment in heels and heading to your EMT basic graduation late, with bloody knees
May 27, 2014 01:18 PM
My wife made me rescue a near-dead trucker
I jogged back to the trooper and asked if I could help. I identified myself as a medic based out of Phoenix. When he replied “Thank God” I knew I should have stayed in the car.
May 27, 2014 06:59 AM
Health care may change, but EMT’s dedication to the job will not
Nonemergency demands have taken over and reimbursement is a constant struggle, but we will continue to act as a professional, compassionate safety net for this country’s ailing health care system
May 20, 2014 10:39 AM
 · 
Arthur Hsieh, MA, NRP
wrapped-gifts-285x245.jpg
EMS Week
5 ways to bring a culture of celebration to your EMS agency
Regardless of size or service model, here are a few ways your department can honor its employees throughout the year
May 20, 2014 09:05 AM
 · 
Greg Friese, MS, NRP
EMS Week celebrates 40 years of service
Over the past four decades, EMS agencies have seen expanded EMT roles, a shift toward patient transfers, improvements in advanced life support, and better ambulances
May 19, 2014 06:53 AM
National EMS Week Honors EMS Practitioners
May 14, 2014 05:25 AM
Fla. army medic, Chili’s server saves man with CPR
He immediately began CPR when a man he was serving earlier collapsed outside the restaurant; a registered nurse jumped in to help
May 10, 2014 07:21 AM
National EMS Week is May 18-24
May 07, 2014 12:11 PM
My off-duty save: A bloodied body in the road
May 02, 2014 07:42 AM
FDNYEMSWeek-300.jpg
FDNY unveils EMS Week posters
They’ll be displayed on more than 300 kiosks across the city to raise awareness about the work of EMTs and paramedics
May 01, 2014 07:30 AM
Only 20 days left to prepare for EMS Week!
April 28, 2014 05:38 AM
Off-duty EMT saves life of fellow softball player — again
Teammate Terry Backman was there to save him, on the same field in the same park, when he collapsed from a heart attack last summer, and again last Sunday
April 18, 2014 07:07 AM
EMS Week
Off-duty medic saves woman in burning building
The Md. medic said she just did what came naturally to her when she rushed through the thick smoke, found the woman and brought her outside
March 18, 2014 10:55 AM
shotcop300.jpg
EMS Week
Off-duty FDNY EMTs rush to aid shot cop
EMS veterans Khadija Hall and Shaun Alexander were off-duty when they heard shots and saw the officer down; they began treating him with their tech bag
February 27, 2014 02:02 AM
EMS Week
Off-duty Miss. EMT saves 5 in car crash
The SUV flipped four times after the driver tried to swerve from a deer
February 05, 2014 02:39 AM
Off-duty medic rescues Calif. surfer
The surfer blacked out underwater, came to beneath the surface and realized he was unable to move
July 06, 2013 03:28 AM
Are we disposable EMS heroes?
Before we can take care of others, we must take care of ourselves
May 29, 2013 01:58 PM
 · 
Bryan Fass
EMS Week Contest: The best of humanity in the worst of times
This is our first runner-up story for our EMS Week 2012 contest: “More than a job. A calling”
May 22, 2012 11:49 AM
EMS Week Contest: My calling started with my father
This is 1 of 6 finalists for our EMS Week 2012 contest: “More than a job. A calling”
May 22, 2012 11:33 AM
EMS Week Contest: Trusting in a stranger
This is 1 of 6 finalists for our EMS Week 2012 contest: “More than a job. A calling”
May 22, 2012 11:33 AM
EMS Week Contest: The moment she said ‘hi’
This is 1 of 6 finalists for our EMS Week 2012 contest: “More than a job. A calling”
May 22, 2012 11:32 AM
EMS Week Contest: As others ran, I gave my friend a chance
Check out each of our finalists for this year’s contest, then head to the voting page!
May 22, 2012 11:25 AM
Load More


MOST POPULAR
  1. Obama administration releases presidential proclamation of EMS Week
  2. White House petitioned to rename EMS Week
  3. Finding my own EMS light in a black cloud
  4. Paramedic’s passion inspires those around him
  5. Infographic: 50 years of EMS in the United States