Erie County observed the 40th annual EMS Week on Monday. The national celebration aims to highlight the lifesaving teamwork displayed by emergency personnel.
There are more than 5,000 EMS workers in the county. Erie County Commissioner of Emergency Services Dan Neaverth Jr. says the celebration also honors first responders’ commitment to their ongoing education and training in order to be prepared in emergency situations.
“We’re not about getting extra credit we’re about helping people, and each and every one of individuals throughout Erie County and throughout all of the counties do this because first of all, they have a passion and a commitment of their community. They also do it, because there’s that brotherhood and sisterhood of EMS,” said Neaverth Jr.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz is encouraging county residents to thank the EMTs, emergency physicians, nurses, and paramedics that they know in the community.
“We should be thanking these people on a daily basis for the work that they do; saving lives and often times putting themselves in harm’s way to save the life of a person that they don’t know. That says a lot about each and every one of the individuals who serve our community, that they’re willing to go the extra mile on behalf of the people of this community because they truly love it. They love the profession they love what they’re doing and they know they’re making a difference in the lives of individuals across this community,” said Poloncarz.
National EMS Week is being observed from now until May 24.