National EMS Week
By Timothy R. Thompson/Special to the Rappahannock News
May 18 to May 24, 2008
The week of May 18 marks the beginning of National Emergency Medical Services Week. This is the time when Fire and EMS agencies recognize providers for their commitment and life saving efforts, as well as a time to get the word out. Our communities need to know who we are and what we can provide. The EMS systems here provide both basic life support and advanced life support, there are also other more specialized aspects to EMS. Here is a very straightforward explanation of just what EMS is. The EMS system begins with you, the general public. You are part of the team; it starts with your call to 911.
ØEmergency arises
ØCall to 911
ØArrival of First Responder or EMS unit
ØPatient is transported and turned over to hospital staff
Once at the hospital the other parts of the system take over (Physician, Lab, X-Ray, etc.). So as you can see you are in the system, it all begins with you, the general public. The system starts with the basics, without good basic life support advanced efforts may not work. And if you do not call 911 promptly the chances even get lower.
The public also needs to know the ever important "Don’t wait." If you need EMS do not wait and think the problem will go away, many times it does not. Think about the person who was suffering from chest pain and thought it would just go away, that it was indigestion. That person does not have to worry about that any longer, they died because they waited. What this person thought was something minor turned out to be a heart attack.
After being involved in EMS for over 30 years, and being a retired Paramedic from Washington, D.C. Fire and EMS I have seen this scenario all too often. Many times we put off medical problems for whatever reason, and in some cases we wait too long and nothing can be done. Know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, know the signs and symptoms of a stroke. I strongly urge everyone to take a CPR class, we all need to know what to do when seconds count.
Your Fire and EMS providers do a very stressful job, many of them without pay. They do this out of the goodness of their hearts. The typical EMS provider spends hundreds, if not thousands of hours learning and practicing to be the best they can be.
During this week of EMS recognition I ask that you give your local EMS providers the recognition they deserve. All it takes is a "Thank you". When you see them out and about just tell them thanks. That means a great deal to the EMS provider, it lets them know that people do care.
I also ask that you, the public give some of your time and think about volunteering. This is a very good way to help others and it is very rewarding. Stop by your local station and let the members show you around and tell you about their department. I know the importance of volunteering, along with my wife and son we volunteer at our local station. Another way to give is to donate to your station, this helps them get the equipment they need to better serve you in your time of crisis.
Remember, these providers are here for you in your time of need
Timothy R. Thompson is a 30-year EMS provider who lives in Front Royal.