ASHI and MEDIC First Aid Blog

May 21-27, 2017 is National EMS Week, and this year’s theme perfectly captures the essence of emergency medical service work: “Always in Service.”

That theme is at the heart of the 2017 EMS STRONG campaign, led by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), in partnership with the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT). According to an article in EMS World:

“EMS STRONG is an annual campaign designed to unite and inspire EMS personnel, strengthen the profession on a national level, and expand and celebrate National EMS Week, May 21–27. The ongoing annual campaign continues to bring together key associations, media partners and corporate sponsors who are committed to strengthening the profession, celebrating EMS professionals and helping bring attention to National EMS Week.”

At www.emsstrong.org, EMS providers will find inspiring stories and resources to support you and your teams.

For agencies who want to celebrate their EMS professionals, naemt.org offers 10 ways to show your appreciation, including:

• Feed your team's soul with lunch (or breakfast or dinner)! Order pizzas, host a pancake breakfast or cater a lunch or dinner for each shift. Bring in a food truck, or host a cookout for employees and their families. You might need to host your event on two separate days to make sure everyone has a change to attend.
• Give out goody bags and other swag. Seek out donated gifts from local businesses like movie passes and other area favorites. Remind local businesses that EMS is there 24-7 to keep the community safe and healthy, and their donation would mean a lot to hardworking crews. You can also order commemorative baseball caps, T-shirts, pins, duffle bags, mugs, pens and key chains to show appreciation to your staff. 
• Recognize a CPR save. Few moments are more meaningful for EMS providers than meeting someone whose life they helped to save. Share the story with the press or through social media. It will have added power if the person whose life was saved is willing to participate in media interviews.
• Create an “EMT or Paramedic of the Year” award. Ask for nominations from your crew. Announce your winner during EMS Week and notify the local media. You can also host an awards dinner to recognize the winner and all of your EMS professionals.

On behalf of HSI and 24-7 thanks to all the men and women of EMS who make the workplace and community safer.