New York State Department of Health Recognizes May 15 to 21 as "EMS Week" Across New York State

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 18, 2022) - The New York State Department of Health today declared this week, May 15 to May 21, as "EMS Week" to honor the work of the roughly 70,000 Emergency Medical Services employees that serve across New York State. The announcement is part of the 47th Annual "EMS Week" campaign that recognizes the frontline heroes who provide emergency medicine and care that saves lives every day.

"This week's celebration is especially meaningful as it reminds us that our EMS professionals have faced historic risks and challenges over the last two years, and sadly due to the pandemic, we have lost some along the way," New York State Department of Health Commissioner Mary T. Bassett said. " Yet through it all, they continue to put their heads down, run to those who need help, and care for our community members when they need it most."

Now in its 47th year, EMS Week is a national campaign sponsored by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) in partnership with the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) that supports and strengthens the EMS community by honoring their accomplishments and increasing awareness of their critical role. The theme for EMS Week 2022 is "Rising to the Challenge."

Roughly 70,000 EMS professionals across New York State respond to more than 3.5 million calls for care per year, including providing emergency medical services to more than 150,000 ill or injured children each year. During the height of the Omicron wave, New York State bolstered the EMS workforce with the development of the 2022 pilot EMS academy training program that trained more than 400 New York National Guard members and 200 civilians as Emergency Medical Technicians in under eight weeks.

In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation's communities. National Emergency Medical Services 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 frontline.

Visit www.emsweek.org for more information about EMS Week 2022.