EMS Week: Honoring Our Past, Forging Our Future

May 21, 2024

EMS providers perform lifesaving work across the country every day.May 19-25 marks the 50th anniversary of EMS Week with the theme “Honoring Our Past, Forging Our Future.” The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) recognizes and gives thanks to all EMS providers for the lifesaving work you do every day. As we remember the past, we look forward to a future that builds on what has come before and strives to achieve excellence for the communities we serve. Here are resources to focus on EMS this week and throughout the year.

NVFC EMS/Rescue Section – Join the NVFC for just $21 and sign up for the EMS/Rescue Section for free.

Roundtable Talk: Answering the Call – Volunteer EMS Recruitment & Retention Strategies – Join the NVFC for this live discussion on May 22 at 2pm ET to learn effective strategies and innovative approaches aimed at maintaining a robust volunteer EMS force.

Make Me A Firefighter Department Portal – Find resources to recruit EMS, fire, and rescue personnel through this NVFC program, including a materials generator to customize outreach materials, an online database to post your department’s open volunteer positions, ready-to-use PSAs, and much more.

Share the Load Program – EMS providers regularly encounter tough calls. If you need help, reach out. The NVFC’s Share the Load program has resources including the NVFC First Responder Helpline and the Directory of Behavioral Health Professionals.

EMS Week – This web site contains resources, information, and stories to help promote EMS Week and honor EMS professionals.

National Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Project – This initiative of the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program empowers EMS and fire-rescue agencies that respond to public 911 calls to improve their “pediatric readiness.” An online assessment is now available to determine your agency’s readiness to take care of children.

Improving Prehospital Pediatric Care: Arlette’s Story – This video from the National Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Project demonstrates the need for local EMS and fire-rescue agencies to be “pediatric ready.”