The American College of Emergency Physicians has designated the theme for this years 2009 EMS week as "EMS: Anytime. Anywhere. We'll be there".
EMS services across the nation will be opening their doors to the public for tours, instruction and information regarding EMS.
National EMS week, sponsored by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), was established in 1974 by President Gerald Ford to honor EMS providers nationwide who deliver lifesaving care all day, every day, with little fanfare and little recognition.
EMS providers nationwide are by far the lowest-paid public safety workers, yet these providers continue to serve the community with pride and honor, day or night, in all weather, in spite of all hazards, whether appreciated or abused by those they serve, whether remembered or forgotten by those they've saved.
Tri-Community South EMS is observing National Emergency Medical Services Week from May 16 - 22, 2010.
The Emergency Medical Service Institute of Western Pennsylvania, with the support of Eat 'n' Park Restaurants, has established a web site at http://www.doUrealize.com/ to call the public's attention to EMS Week and to thank local EMS providers.
National events for EMS Week include the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride to Washington, DC. This year, riders will converge from three starting points: South Portland, Maine; Bennington, Vermont and Norton, Virginia. The ride begins from these starting points on May 15th and ends in Washington on May 22nd. Formerly, the bike ride was associated with the National EMS Memorial Service in Roanoke, Virginia, but the NEMSMS has been moved to the new National EMS Memorial in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and will be held on June 26, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. For more information on the NEMSMS and the EMS Memorial Bike Ride, 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 use the Contact Us page.