Last Updated: May 19, 2026
Happy Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week, May 17-23, 2026! EMS for Children Day, May 20, focuses on the pediatric patient and the specialized care required when providing treatment to them.
Join us in recognizing the inspiring contributions of Virginia’s extraordinary EMS providers, as we thank them for their dedication to serving their neighbors and communities, and improving outcomes, together.
- Learn more about National EMS Week
- Learn more about EMS for Children Day
- We invite you to share your EMS Week happenings on our Facebook and X pages.
This year’s National EMS Week theme is, “Improving Outcomes, Together.” This concept extends beyond medicine and focuses on a collective responsibility to invest in the providers who are dedicated to serving their communities and saving lives.
Additionally, each day of EMS Week will feature a special area of focus. Learn more about EMS Week at: https://emsweek.org/.
The 2026 National EMS Week themed days are as follows:
- Sunday is “Health, Wellness, and Resilience Day” to promote the health, wellness and resilience of EMS providers and patients.
- Monday is “Education Day” to highlight both public education programs and EMS provider education;
- Tuesday is “EMS Safety Day” to promote safety for the EMS provider, the patient and the public;
- Wednesday is “EMS for Children Day” to highlight the special needs of the pediatric patient;
This year, EMSC is hosting a free webinar on managing cervical spine injuries in children,
NAEMT-EIIC Rethinking Spinal Motion Restriction in Children: Evidence Based Strategies for Prehospital Care Webinar - Thursday is “Save-A-Life Day”/”National Stop the Bleed” to promote CPR and Stop the Bleed, which is citizen bleeding control education, “Until Help Arrives” – active bystander training, public CPR programs and other related education programs;
- Friday is “EMS Recognition Day” to recognize your local EMS heroes and those saved by the EMS system.
- Saturday is “EMS Remembrance Day” to honor EMS personnel who have died in the line-of-duty and to recognize the ultimate sacrifice they made for their communities.
