Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
National Emergency Medical Services Week, a celebration to honor approximately 750,000 EMS providers nationwide who deliver life-saving emergency care, is this week.
"This job is different from another job you can have," said Kent Briar, paramedic. "You are under tremendous pressure; you have to react quickly; you have to make flawless decisions. A lot of people don't have a clue as to what EMS providers do and how far their services reach into the community."
National EMS Week honors the lifesaving care EMS providers offer nationwide, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This year's EMS Week theme - "Help is a Heartbeat Away" - emphasizes the responsiveness, vigilance and compassion of our Emergency Medical Services, whose timely and attentive intervention saves countless lives every year. "EMS Week is a great opportunity to recognize the contributions of the past and build upon them for the future," said Briar.
In addition, National EMS Week offers a forum for the public to learn about injury prevention, safety awareness and emergency preparedness. Local activities that honor EMS providers and educate the public will be held throughout the week.
Multi-Township EMS kicked off the week early with a bike rodeo Saturday in conjunction with the Kosciusko County Chapter of Safe Kids; Warsaw, Milford and North Webster Kiwanis; and Wal-Mart.
Multi-Township will host an open house at their station at 2304 E. Center St., Warsaw, Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. The public is invited to tour the station, the emergency trucks and equipment and meet local paramedics and EMTs.
Thursday evening Kosciusko Community Hospital will host a county EMS banquet for the local EMS community to review the year and accept some awards. The local EMT of the Year and Paramedic of the Year awards will be announced, as will awards for providers who were involved with CPR saves or assisted with bringing a new life into our community.
