FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 20, 2020
For More Information Contact: Marian Hunter, public relations coordinator, 804-888-9116, Marian.Hunter@vdh.virginia.gov
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK IN VIRGINIA RECOGNIZES THE STEADFAST RESOLVE AND PERSEVERANCE OF VIRGINIA’S EMS PROVIDERS IN TIMES OF CRISIS
May 17 – 23 is National EMS Week
(RICHMOND, Va.) – When Virginians make the call for help, they rely on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers to respond quickly and to supply the best emergency prehospital care possible. During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, EMS providers delivering emergent care, while protecting the health and safety of their patients and themselves, is especially important. Last year, EMS providers responded to more than 1.66 million calls for help in Virginia, representing more than 4,500 incidents per day.
As proclaimed by Governor Ralph Northam, May 17 – 23, 2020 is EMS Week in Virginia. This special week honors EMS responders’ commitment to providing quality emergency medical care to the communities they serve. EMS for Children Day, May 20, emphasizes the pediatric patient and required specialized treatment required.
“We appreciate Virginia’s EMS providers’ hard work and dedication to keep all people in the Commonwealth safe during this pandemic and every day,” said State Health Commissioner M. Norman Oliver, MD, MA. “Your emergency response efforts and ability to adapt and overcome to this ever-changing situation is inspiring. I offer my sincerest thanks and gratitude for everything you do to protect the health and well-being of the people in our communities.”
“Through continued education, training and planning, Virginia’s EMS providers have been prepared to respond to emergency situations like the pandemic we’re experiencing today,” said Gary Brown, director of the Virginia Department of Health Office of EMS. “We have the best EMS providers in the nation, who are ready to act quickly and precisely to provide the safest and most effective prehospital emergency care, from the time a call is received by the 911 center until the time a patient is delivered to the hospital. I am honored and beyond thankful to recognize the incredible work of our EMS providers and their commitment to Virginia’s EMS System.”
Due to COVID-19, regularly scheduled EMS Week community activities hosted by local EMS agencies may be cancelled or rescheduled. However, there are still ways to support an EMS agency in your community. Please check their websites or social media pages for additional information.
To learn more about the Virginia Department of Health Office of EMS, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency–medicalservices/.