[Archived] Alexandria Fire Department Recognizes 44th Annual EMS Week

For Immediate Release: May 17, 2018

In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation's communities. Back then, EMS was a new profession, and EMS practitioners had only just started to be recognized as a critical component of emergency medicine and the public health safety net. Since then, EMS is now firmly established as an essential public function and a vital component of the medical care continuum.

EMS Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine's "front line." In honor of the 44th annual EMS Week, May 20-26, the Alexandria Fire Department will present a series of videos highlighting EMS education, safety, EMS for children, hands-only CPR, and individual firefighter/medic experiences. To view the videos, visit alexandriava.gov/Fire daily.

"The Alexandria Fire Department's EMS personnel work hard every day to save lives. EMS Week gives us the opportunity to recognize their accomplishments, dedication to the profession, and commitment to those they serve," said Deputy Chief of EMS Byron Andrews.

On any given day, EMS practitioners help save lives by responding to medical emergencies, including heart attack, difficulty breathing, a fall or accident, drowning, cardiac arrest, stroke, drug overdose or acute illness. EMS may provide both basic and advanced medical care at the scene of an emergency and en route to a hospital. EMS practitioners care for their patients' medical needs and show compassion in their most difficult moments.

For more information or media inquiries, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Fire or contact Senior Public Information Officer Raytevia Evans at raytevia.evans@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5190.