ACEP, NAEMT Celebrate 50 Years of Life-Saving Commitment With EMS Week Kickoff

Press Release:

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) will celebrate EMS Week May 19-25 to honor the dedication, commitment, and sacrifice of emergency medical service professionals around the country.  This year marks the 50th anniversary of National EMS Week and the 2024 theme is “Honoring Our Past, Forging Our Future.”

“Emergency medicine is a team sport,” said Aisha Terry, MD, MPH, FACEP, President of ACEP. “For many patients, their first interaction in an emergency is with the EMS professionals they trust to come into their homes and work in their communities. Emergency physicians are grateful to lead EMS teams and we are proud of our EMS colleagues who ensure life-saving care begins well before patients arrive in the emergency department.” 

In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS professionals and the important work they do in our nation’s communities. For the past 50 years, the EMS Week campaign has brought the country together to celebrate the accomplishments of EMTs, paramedics, and other prehospital team members, in addition to building awareness of their vital role in their communities.

“EMS Week celebrates the paramedics, EMTs, and other EMS professionals who work diligently to care for their patients and serve their communities in times of crisis,” says NAEMT President Susan Bailey, MSEM, NRP. “’Honoring Our Past, Forging Our Future’ reminds us of the proud history of our profession and contributions of EMS practitioners over the decades. We also must stay focused on the road ahead: evolving, innovating and ensuring that EMS has the support needed to continue to answer the public’s call for help when it’s most needed.”

An online resource center has been created for the 50th anniversary of National EMS Week (www.emsweek.org), which includes helpful tools for promoting and celebrating EMS Week, important insight from stakeholders in the first responder community, and inspiring stories about EMS professionals. EMS Week will feature activities, training, and special events around these daily themes:

• Sunday, May 19: Health, Wellness and Resilience Day

• Monday, May 20: EMS Education Day

• Tuesday, May 21: EMS Safety Day

• Wednesday, May 22: EMS for Children Day

• Thursday, May 23: Save-A-Life Day (CPR & National Stop the Bleed Day)

• Friday, May 24: EMS Recognition Day

• Saturday, May 25: EMS Remembrance Day

About ACEP

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is the national medical society representing emergency medicine. Through continuing education, research, public education, and advocacy, ACEP advances emergency care on behalf of its 40,000 emergency physician members and the more than 150 million people they treat on an annual basis. For more information, visit acep.org and emergencyphysicians.org. 

About NAEMT

Formed in 1975 and over 90,000 members strong, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) is the only national association representing the professional interests of paramedics, advanced emergency medical technicians, emergency medical technicians, emergency medical responders and other professionals providing prehospital and out-of-hospital emergent, urgent, or preventive medical care.

NAEMT members work in all sectors of EMS, including government service agencies, fire departments, hospital-based ambulance services, private companies, industrial and special operations settings, and in the military. They also work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. NAEMT serves its members by advocating on issues that impact their ability to provide quality patient care, providing high-quality education that improves the knowledge and skills of practitioners, and supporting EMS research and innovation. For more information, visit naemt.org.