Thank You, EMS

Dear Editor:

May 21-27, 2023, is the 49th annual National Emergency Medical Services Week. 

In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation’s communities. This year’s theme is EMS: Where Emergency Care Begins.

The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) partners with the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) to lead annual EMS Week activities. Together, NAEMT and ACEP are working to ensure that the important contributions of EMS practitioners in safeguarding the health, safety and well-being of their communities are fully celebrated and recognized.

I, as a now 13 years retired EMT with over 40 years of experience, give a shout out and salute to all past and present members of all Ambulance Services and Emergency Medical Service providers. Some are based within hospitals, others, within Police Departments, Fire Departments (both paid, volunteer, and “combined” services), community based (like my unfortunately disbanded Peninsula Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 1973-1996), and Private Proprietary Ambulance services, some of which are incorporated into local 9-1-1 systems. 

Richard C. Berger
FDNY EMS EMT (Retired)