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5 ways to celebrate National EMS Week

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From the City of Apopka Facebook Page

Editor's Note: Photos below the article are historical and provided by the City of Apopka Facebook page.

The City of Apopka recognizes National EMS Week May 20-26 to honor the men and women who provide critical medical services in our community.

Last year, the Apopka Fire Department responded to more than 6,000 medical emergencies. The Apopka Fire Department has always been at the forefront of EMS while having some of the first trained paramedics in Orange County. The department has been providing an ambulance service to the Apopka community since 1966, making it one of the first fire departments in the state to offer such services.

Today, the department operates 10 advanced life support ambulances out of six strategically placed fire stations. Scroll through the attached photos for a look at just some of the people and equipment of the past 52 years of providing EMS to the City of Apopka.

We thank all EMS workers in Apopka and throughout the Nation for your unwavering and dedicated service to your communities.

*****

In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation's communities. NAEMT partners with the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) to lead annual EMS Week activities. Together, NAEMT and ACEP are working to ensure that the important contributions of EMS practitioners in safeguarding the health, safety, and well-being of their communities are fully celebrated and recognized.

EMS 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 "front line." Whether celebrating with a company cookout or a catered lunch; an open house, an awards ceremony or even quiet reflection about what it means to be an EMS practitioner, EMS Week is the perfect time to recognize EMS and all that its practitioners do for our nation.

5 Ways To Celebrate EMS Practitioners

From the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians website

Feed their soul with lunch (or breakfast or dinner)!

Order pizzas, host a pancake breakfast or cater a lunch or dinner for each shift. Bring in a food truck, or host a cookout for employees and their families. You might need to host your event on two separate days to make sure everyone has a chance to attend. Take photos and share them with your team!

Give out goody bags and other swag

Seek out donated gifts from local businesses like movie passes and other area favorites. Remind local businesses that EMS is there 24-7 to keep the community safe and healthy, and their donation would mean a lot to hardworking crews. You can also order commemorative baseball caps, T-shirts, pins, duffel bags, mugs, pens and keychains to show appreciation to your staff.

Treat them to discounts at select spots

Work with local restaurants or entertainment groups for EMS team discounts on meals, movies and local amusement parks. If you have more sizable items to give away, like gift cards or other merchandise, then consider holding a raffle.

Recognize a CPR save

Few moments are more meaningful for EMS practitioners than meeting someone whose life they helped to save. Share the story with the media. It will have added power if the person whose life was saved is willing to participate in media interviews.

Say thank you

Your EMS organization might not have much in the way of EMS Week budget. So make your celebration a potluck, and don't underestimate the power of a heartfelt "thank you."

Apopka Fire Department, National EMS Week

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