National Emergency Medical Services Week
Tri-Community South EMS is observing National Emergency Medical Services Week
from May 17 - 23, 2009.
On May 16th 2009, Tri Community South EMS will be participating in local, state and national events to celebrate Emergency Medical Services Week 2009. The purpose of EMS week is not only to educate the public on what EMS does but also especially to honor those who gave their lives in the course of their duties.
EMS providers have long been on the front lines combining health care and public safety in order to improve the well being of the public when catastrophic illness or injury has interrupted their lives.
EMS Week begins on May the 16th 2009 with the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride. The bike ride was established in 2001 to honor the lives of EMS heroes and began in Boston MA and ended in Roanoke VA to honor those EMS providers that have lost their lives in the performance of their duties. Today the ride begins in New York City NY and in Lexington KY and concludes 600 miles later in Roanoke VA with the National EMS Memorial Service which was established in 1992.
Once arriving at the Memorial service many EMS Honor Guards, Families, Friends, colleagues, political leaders and EMS Services participate in a service honoring the inductees and their families. The families receive a US Flag, which has flown over the US Capital- denoting the honorees service to the country, a White Rose representing their undying love and an Oak Leaf Medallion signifying their eternal memory.
The Oak Leaf has been adopted for the EMS Memorial as it stands symbolizing strength. The name, agency and date of loss is engraved on a bronze oak leaf and is then added to the Tree of Life which is the National Memorial honoring these Fallen EMS Providers. Each TCS EMS employee wears an Oak Leaf pin on their uniforms in remembrance of their comrades.
Locally, On May 17th Tri Community South will be participating with other providers with a Blue Mass at St Paul's Cathedral in Oakland where Bishop David Zubic will hold mass and a blessing of the vehicles and EMS providers. The procession will continue to the Roberto Clemente bridge where EMS Vehicles will line the bridge and the providers will be honored at PNC Park prior to the 1:00pm Pirates Game. Color Guard Members, including those from TCS EMS will present the Colors during the National Anthem. All EMS Providers will be asked to take to the field as well in order to hold a 30'x 60' US Flag, which has been graciously donated for the event.
The American College of Emergency Physicians has designated the theme for this years 2009 EMS week as "EMS, Proud Partners in your Community". EMS services across the nation will be opening their doors to the public for tours, instruction and information regarding EMS. Finally at the end of the week a 60 second National Moment of radio silence will be held on Saturday May 23 at 8:00pm. for all fallen providers.
For More information please visit: http://nemsms.org and http://muddyangels.org
For more information on EMS Week, to find out what you can do to support EMS in your community, to register for a CPR class, or for any other questions on Emergency Medical Services, call Tri-Community South at 412-831-3710, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or visit our website at: http://www.tcsems.org