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EMS Awareness & First-Aid Education
Improving Outcomes, Together
Each May, communities across the country recognize EMS Week to honor emergency medical services professionals for the critical care they provide every day. Established in 1974, EMS Week highlights the essential role EMS teams play in responding to sudden illness, injury, and emergencies.
EMS professionals serve people in many settings, including homes, schools, workplaces, and roadways. As health care needs change, these teams continue to expand services through community paramedicine, preventive care, and new technologies that help strengthen health and resilience across the community.
Honoring EMS Through Preparedness and Action
Education is the foundation of effective EMS care. It includes the training, continuing education, and professional development that help providers stay ready for any situation.
Residents also play an important role in preparedness. One meaningful way to honor EMS teams is by learning how to respond before help arrives. Skills such as CPR, first aid, and Stop the Bleed support emergency responders and can help reduce risk and save lives when seconds matter.
Another simple way to support EMS during an emergency is by making critical medical information easy to find. Programs like Vial of Life help responders quickly access details such as medications, allergies, and health conditions when every moment counts.
Community members are also encouraged to show support by:
- Writing a thank-you note
- Sharing a message on social media
- Thanking EMS staff in person
- Learning about all emergency services and preparedness programs
Supporting the People & Services Behind the Response
Throughout EMS Week, themed focus days highlight the people, training, safety practices, and community partnerships that support EMS professionals and the services they provide. Each theme day offers an opportunity to learn more about EMS work, support responder well-being, and encourage community involvement.
- Health, Wellness, and Resilience: Focuses on the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of EMS professionals and patients, while encouraging self-care and peer support.
- Education Day: Highlights continuing education for EMS teams and promotes injury and illness prevention through community learning.
- EMS Safety Day: Promotes practices that help reduce risk and improve safety for responders, patients, and the public.
- EMS for Children Day: Raises awareness of the specialized training, equipment, and preparedness needed to care for children during emergencies.
- Save-A-Life Day: Encourages residents to learn CPR, Stop the Bleed, and other skills that can help support care before EMS arrives.
- EMS Recognition Day: Honors EMS professionals for their dedication, service, and lifesaving work within the community.
- EMS Remembrance Day: Remembers EMS providers who lost their lives in the line of duty, honors their sacrifice, and reinforces the importance of responder safety, wellness, and family support.