Sunday May 20, 2018 marks the beginning of National EMS Week and presents an opportunity to honor the men and women who deliver pre-hospital 9-1-1 emergency medical care throughout the United States. This vital public safety service is provided primarily by cross-trained, multi-role emergency responders who are based in the nation’s fire departments.
Emergency rescue and medical services
The fire service has a rich history of protecting the health and safety of communities through an emergency response model that includes the delivery of pre-hospital 9-1-1 emergency medical care.
Fire Service-Based EMS providers are trained and equipped to provide communities with emergency medical care
Fire Service-Based EMS providers are trained, equipped and positioned to provide their communities with timely emergency medical care, and more recently, Integrated Community Health Care (ICHC) services as well. Firefighter/EMTs and paramedics respond quickly, professionally, skilfully, and compassionately in communities across the United States every day and all the time (24/7).
Fire Service-Based EMS systems
The Fire Service-Based EMS Advocates Coalition recognizes the life-saving contributions and achievements, as well as the dedication and commitment, of those who serve in Fire Service-Based EMS systems. National EMS Week is a time to pause and say “thank you” to the entire EMS Community, especially firefighters, EMTs and paramedics of the nation’s ‘all hazards’ response personnel establishments and services.
Established in 2006 and based in Washington, DC, Maryland, USA , the Fire Service-Based EMS Advocates Coalition provides members of Congress and other government officials with information they need to effectively support Fire Service-Based EMS systems throughout the nation. EMS is not a service that begins with the transport of a victim to an emergency care facility; instead, it begins with a 9-1-1 call and the dispatch of highly skilled and trained emergency medical personnel from local fire departments who provide basic and advanced levels of care.