National EMS Week Roundup

This year, National EMS Week celebrates its 30th anniversary. Don’t miss the opportunity to join in the celebrations from May 16–22, when the EMS industry will come together to promote the field of prehospital care. This year’s theme says its all: “There When You Need Us.” Wednesday, May 19, is reserved for the annual Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Day. Here are what a few communities are doing to celebrate around the country. For more ideas, visit www.acep.org/emsweek.

Rockport, MA—The town of Rockport’s volunteer ambulance service will present Rockport Emergency Services Day on Sunday, May 16, 1–4 p.m., under the banner, “Touch a Truck—Save a Life.” The celebration honors Rockport’s emergency services system, which provides rescue on land and on sea with a paid police force and all volunteer ambulance, fire and forest fire, and harbormaster’s departments.

The festivities will take place at the Department of Public Works with displays of rescue equipment and vehicles from each agency, including MA Environmental Police vehicles, fire trucks and the U.S. Coast Guard. Next door to DPW, the Rockport Police Department will offer tours of its brand new station. A blood pressure clinic, food concessions, balloons, Smokey the Bear and free parking will all be available. Rain or shine. Free of charge.

White Bear Lake, MN—The White Bear Lake Fire Department will hold its fourth annual free National Safety First Aid class May 22 from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at White Bear Lake Fire Station #2, County Rd. E and McKnight Road. For more information or to sign up, call 651/429-8568, Mon.–Fri.

8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. CT. It is open to all ages, and those who complete the course will receive certification, good for three years, from the National Safety Council in First Aid. The White Bear Lake Fire Department also provides fire suppression and ALS for the communities of White Bear Township, Birchwood, Dellwood, Gem Lake and Hugo.

Eatontown, NJ—The Monmouth Ocean Hospital Service Corporation (MONOC) will be celebrating its agency’s accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS)—the gold standard in EMS—with a luncheon ceremony to be held onsite, congratulating all staff for a job well done.

In addition, MONOC will be visiting pre-kindergarten and grammar schools all week, May 16–22, to demonstrate their ALS, BLS and critical care ambulances, their paramedics, and to teach kids about 9-1-1. On Wednesday, May 19, EMSC Day, MONOC will visit select points within their three-county coverage area to provide free car seat safety checkpoints.