To show support of the hard-working men and women of the emergency medical services, the U. S. Fire Administration (USFA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Office of Health Affairs (OHA) will once again celebrate #EMS Week from May 21 to May 27, under the main theme EMS Strong – Always in Service. Five of the days will feature their own separate theme that will represent the multifaceted nature of EMS, and show the importance of fire and EMS departments across the country that answer the call to care by delivering vital pre-hospital care around-the-clock, whether they are on or off duty.

Five days of information

Since one of the biggest impacts on the community is education, #EMS week will begin with Education Day. There will be open houses within communities and public education presentations by professionals on how communities can prevent illness or injury within their everyday lives. Day two, Tuesday, will be Safety Day with a focus on risk and preventions, along with the promotion of safety measures and how to reduce the stress that could hamper the way care is given in a timely fashion. Participants will also be able to get service safety data and learn where free identification data cards are located that would help First Responders to provide accurate medical assistance.

Larry D. Fluty, acting Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer said, “We are especially grateful to our EMS responders at DHS, whose service supports their immediate communities, strengthens the DHS workforce, and fulfills the DHS mission.”

EMS heroes to be honored

Day three of the event will have the theme of Children Day and will emphasize the unique aspects of caring for children in emergency situations.

It will be a day to give local schools an opportunity to have students interact with first responders and see firsthand the equipment used, such as ambulance, firetrucks, helicopters and other response vehicles. Thursday, day four, will be Save a Life Day and will focus on ways bystanders who are witness to critical situations can take simple steps that can help save a life.

Day five, Friday, May 26, 2017 will be a EMS Recognition Day and will not only honor local #EMS heroes but will also recognize colleagues that have been injured or killed in the line of duty. It will also be a day to express gratitude to first responders across the country for their commitment to serving their communities.