Celebrating EMS Week on Monday

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Posted by: JRTyson
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Date: May 22 2023 10:59 AM

The American College of Physicians were influential in establishing EMS week when President Ford declared it in 1974. The national week was reinstituted by ACEP in 1982 and this was around the time that EMS week was moved to September yearly.

In the 1980’s, ACEP started collecting ideas and distributing information about and for EMS Week. They developed things like professional marketing materials and EMS Week Planning Kits. In 1992, it was again moved to the week beginning May 3. This was because there needed to be a clear separation between EMS week and Fire Prevention Week. There was an obvious issue amongst fire and EMS services staff who felt that having the two events too close to each other was affecting the aim of each program.

In the last 10 years, EMS has been vital to emergency medicine and to saving lives. Medical emergencies and situations faced by all medical practitioners require quick problem solving and years of training. As the field expands, EMS will always be front line when it comes to emergencies and emergency medicines. At present, 25,000 EMS Week planning guides are given out free of charge to fire departments, EMS services, rescue squads, volunteers and emergency departments all over the US.

 Monday is Education Day, highlighting public education programs and EMS provider education

Education Day seeks to highlight community educational programs, as well as the importance of continuing education for EMS practitioners. This is the ideal day to plan a community injury or illness prevention program and a special CE course for your agency. Consider in-person or online community education programs related to the prevention of falls, burns, poisoning or drowning.

Consider in-person or online community education programs related to the prevention and treatment of injuries. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) “You Are the Help Until Help Arrives” initiative provides tools to educate and empower the public to act in an emergency situation. Learn more at ready.gov/until-help-arrives.

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