National EMS Week Takes Place May 17-23

April 21, 2026

National EMS Week™ 2026 will take place May 17-23 with the theme “Improving Outcomes, Together.” This theme acknowledges the need for collective efforts to enhance support for EMS professionals.

Hosted by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) and supported by organizations including the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), National EMS Week™ celebrates emergency medical services professionals and the critical role they play in our communities.

“EMS professionals are essential partners on the frontlines,” said ACEP president L. Anthony Cirillo, MD, FACEP. “Our trusted colleagues are deeply committed and vital to the collaborative efforts necessary to ensure the health and safety of people in every community across the country.”

“Each year, National EMS Week™ is an opportunity to celebrate the incredibly significant role that our EMTs, paramedics, and EMS professionals play in our healthcare and public safety systems every day,” said Christopher Way, president of NAEMT. “Every community served should be extremely grateful for the expertise, commitment to care, and passion for service that you bring to bear. Our communities and healthcare system are better and stronger because of you!”

National EMS Week™ will feature special events around these daily themes:

  • Sunday, May 17: Health, Wellness and Resilience Day
  • Monday, May 18: EMS Education Day
  • Tuesday, May 19: EMS Safety Day
  • Wednesday, May 20: EMS for Children Day
  • Thursday, May 21: Save-A-Life Day (Community Blood Drive, CPR, and National Stop the Bleed Day)
  • Friday, May 22: EMS Recognition Day
  • Saturday, May 23: EMS Remembrance Day

Visit www.emsweek.org for more information, resources for EMS agencies, and inspiring stories directly from the first responders.

Looking for tools to help recruit more EMS members into your department? Visit the NVFC’s Make Me A Firefighter campaign to post your volunteer opportunities and customize recruitment and outreach materials.

About ACEP
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is the national medical society representing emergency medicine. Through continuing education, research, public education, and advocacy, ACEP advances emergency care on behalf of its 40,000 emergency physician members, and the more than 150 million people they treat on an annual basis. For more information, visit www.acep.org/and www.emergencyphysicians.org.

About NAEMT
Formed in 1975 and over 110,000 members strong, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) is the only national association representing the professional interests of paramedics, advanced emergency medical technicians, emergency medical technicians, emergency medical responders, and other professionals providing prehospital and out-of-hospital emergent, urgent, or preventive medical care. For more information, visit www.naemt.org.