Area Emergency Medical Service personnel were recognized during the 46th Annual EMS Week which ran May 16 through 22. This year’s theme was “Caring for Our Communities.” Mark Philippy, Chairman of the Monroe-Livingston EMS Council (MLREMS) said, “We come together this week to recognize the efforts and sacrifices of our EMS practitioners and their families throughout this difficult time and thank our community for your continued support.”
An event was held on May 17 at the Public Safety Building for local leaders to recognize the EMTs and Paramedics in our area for all they do for the community every day.
While many groups and organizations were rightly recognized for their hard work during the pandemic, Emergency Medical Service workers have been less visibly commended. The perception can be that EMS workers simply take people from a scene to a hospital, but that is just a part of how they serve. In addition to answering more than 120,000 calls for service in Monroe County last year, area EMS Agencies provide training in CPR, AED, first aid, bleeding control, and adult and pediatric emergency care. When on scene, EMTs and Paramedics deal with the patient’s physical and emotional needs. COVID required EMS staff to take extra precautions to protect the patient, hospital staff, and themselves from transmitting the disease.
Because many of the 21 EMS agencies in the area are private businesses, they were not entitled to receive CARES Act funding to help offset the increased operational costs during the pandemic and only a handful of towns in the county support EMS financially. Yet, through this pandemic EMS agencies and staff persevered in their service to the community.
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