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We Honor Those Who Are Called To Care

“Every day, you’re called upon to help others through one of the most frightening times of their lives. Every day, you’re called upon to provide a sense of security and relief during chaotic and challenging situations. Every day, you’re called upon to do the work that only a select few can do. Every day, you’re Called to Care.”

That is the opening statement to Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers on EMSstrong.org, a campaign that seeks to celebrate, unify and inspire the men and women of our nation’s emergency medical services — those people who respond when you call 911 for help.

May 16 – 21 is the 42nd annual EMS Week. Established in 1974 by President Ford, EMS Week is an opportunity to acknowledge, appreciate and thank our amazing and steadfast EMS providers for the work they do.

Those of us who have watched these first responders in action, or have availed ourselves of their services, are always in awe of their skill, dedication and patience.

They deal with combative patients and intrusive bystanders; they respond to tragic scenes where children die and parents are beyond consolation; they work on the critically injured at crash scenes along busy roadways as clueless and selfish motorists speed by within inches; they do their best to save a life even when their patient speaks a language they don’t understand.

Who takes care of the caregivers? How do they deal with stress and sleep deprivation? How can they stay safe on a job that often puts their lives in danger? These are questions in search of answers on EMSstrong.org, and the campaign offers a glimpse into the lives and challenges of those who answer the call to service.

Our local EMS responders are the dedicated EMTs and paramedics of Sierra Ambulance and the crews of SkyLife helicopters, and the first on scene in the outlying areas are likely the men and women of the Madera County Fire Department and Cal Fire.

Please take time this week to recognize our EMS providers, even by simply saying “Thank You.”

Called to Care is a powerful and timely reminder of how committed you are to the work you do. You’ve chosen to answer the call of a career that demands passion, purpose and heart—from all those who wear the uniform, day in and day out.

“Created by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) in partnership with the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), EMS Strong brings together associations, EMS services, sponsors and national media to honor the dedication of EMS practitioners nationwide.” (https://www.nemsma.org)

EMS Strong Called to Care“EMS Strong is what draws you to help, what empowers you to face danger when others are running away. It’s there in those moments, big and little, when you find out what you’re made of. It’s what makes you proud. It’s what keeps you humble.”

EMS Strong is what draws a special few together to do incredibly important work, often under difficult circumstances, and many times with little thanks.

EMS Strong is the bond you share with fellow first responders. Sometimes that bond is expressed in a silent nod of recognition, and other times it takes the form of war stories shared for the umpteenth time. But it’s always there.

EMS Strong is the knowledge that you’re part of something very special. It’s the belief in something bigger than yourself—bigger than your level of certification, bigger than the color of the patch on your shoulder or the union card in your wallet.

EMS Strong is the well from which you draw the fortitude to maintain your composure when the going gets tougher than most people can imagine.

EMS Strong is the willingness to keep learning and growing, as an individual and as part of a profession that’s evolving into a true partner in the healthcare continuum.

EMS Strong is what allows people to trust you with their secrets, with their nakedness, with their safety, with their very lives or the lives of their loved ones. It’s also what makes you able to accept the burden of that trust.

EMS Strong is what draws you to help, what empowers you to face danger when others are running away. It’s there in those moments, big and little, when you find out what you’re made of. It’s what makes you proud. It’s what keeps you humble.

EMS Strong is precious, but it doesn’t belong to you. It’s on loan to you, and you need to pay it back with interest for future generations.

EMS Strong is us.

EMS Strong is you.

Now, stop talking to yourself in the mirror. It’s time to get to work.” (EMS Campaign, 2016).

For more information about EMS Week and EMS Strong, please go to http://www.emsstrong.org/

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Sierra News Online

Sierra News Online