Emergency Medical Services Week--EMS Week--is a week-long recognition and celebration of the people who provide emergency medical services to communities. It provides an opportunity for EMS professionals to educate the community about emergency medical services and a chance for the community to meet these professionals. The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is a resource for EMS Week, providing staff and financial support for the production and distribution of promotional materials. EMS week is the third week of May each year, featuring free services, educational talks, demonstrations and activities for children and adults.
Free Health Clinic
Offer a free health clinic such as blood pressure and cholesterol screenings. This gives your EMS location a chance to showcase medical professionals in your community and opportunity to provide information about your local trauma centers and any specialized medical care centers serving your community. A teddy bear clinic for the kids is another fun way for children to learn about health and safety.
Tours
Offer station tours and tours of ambulances and fire trucks. This gives your EMS location an opportunity to show the community how your organization performs EMS services and what sort of life-saving gear is used.
Open House
Have an open house with activities for the children, and provide food like chili, hot dogs and drinks. Perhaps a chili cook-off among the EMS staff in which the community votes on the winner.
EMS Demonstrations
Provide EMS/Paramedic/Rescue Team demonstrations. Many communities have an area where the fire department trains on putting out fires. Providing a fire extinguishing demonstration is a good way for the community to see first-hand the importance of fire safety and the use of fire alarms. Also a smaller demonstration on how to use disposable fire extinguishers is another great idea if a full demonstration cannot be provided. If your EMS organization uses rescue dogs, a demonstration in how rescue dogs work is a fun idea for both children and adults to see how these working dogs save lives.
Games and Contests
Create an EMS trivia content or crossword puzzle and distribute to the community guests. People with the highest scores receive prizes like fire extinguishers or first aid packs.
Create an EMS Mascot that can also be used when going to schools to give EMS and safety demonstrations. Create products around your mascot like coloring books for kids that provide safety tips and use at your EMS open house during EMS Week.
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