National EMS Week, observed from May 18 to May 24, serves as a designated period to recognize the contributions of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) practitioners, including EMTs and paramedics. The event, organized by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) in partnership with the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), aims to raise public awareness about the essential role of EMS in communities. The theme for the year referenced in the source material is “We Care. For Everyone.” During this week, various activities and appreciation events are held to honor the workforce, ranging from community outreach to internal agency celebrations.
While the primary focus of EMS Week is often on recognition and educational initiatives, there are opportunities for community groups and agencies to provide tangible tokens of appreciation. These often take the form of food, merchandise, or services. The source material outlines several methods for agencies and community members to celebrate the workforce, many of which involve the distribution of items at no cost to the personnel.
Community and Agency-Led Appreciation Initiatives
During EMS Week, community groups, schools, and individuals are encouraged to express gratitude to local EMS personnel. The source material suggests specific actions that facilitate the distribution of goods to practitioners.
Food and Refreshments
Agencies are advised to host events that provide food to personnel across all shifts. Options include hiring food trucks that offer local specialties or distributing grab-and-go boxed lunches. Additionally, providing healthy snacks such as fruit, nuts, and berries is recommended. For community members wishing to contribute, the documentation suggests reaching out to local EMS agencies to inquire about specific preferences and drop-off times. This ensures that food items are delivered when crews are available to receive them.
Merchandise and Memorabilia
Several creative initiatives are listed that result in the distribution of physical items to EMS staff: * T-Shirt Design Contests: Agencies can solicit EMS-themed designs from employees, hold a vote, and print the winning design on T-shirts to give out as gifts. * Memorial Items: To honor fallen EMS personnel, agencies and individuals may plant a memorial garden or make donations to causes cherished by the deceased. Participation in the National EMS Memorial Service is also an option for collective remembrance.
Professional Development and Wellness Opportunities
EMS Week also highlights professional growth and health. Some of the offerings described function as no-cost opportunities for training and wellness, which can be considered valuable "freebies" for career advancement.
Training Courses
Agencies are encouraged to recognize specific theme days by facilitating training. For example, on Health, Wellness, and Resilience Day, personnel may be invited to take the Mental Health Resource Officers (MHRO) course. On Safety Tuesday, personnel may take the NAEMT EMS Safety course. While the source material does not explicitly state whether these courses are offered free of charge during EMS Week, they are presented as accessible opportunities for professional development.
Public Education
Agencies are encouraged to host "virtual tours" of ambulances or stations to introduce the public to their equipment and personnel. Furthermore, the "First On The Scene" (FOTS) course is mentioned as a resource to teach the public how to respond to medical crises, including bleeding control and the use of naloxone. These educational initiatives serve as free resources provided to the community and EMS workforce.
Broader Discounts and Freebies for EMS Professionals
Outside of the specific activities organized during EMS Week, EMS professionals are eligible for various discounts and offers from commercial brands. The source material identifies several retailers and service providers that extend special pricing to first responders, including EMTs and paramedics.
Verification and Eligibility
To access these discounts, professionals typically need to verify their employment status. This is often done through third-party verification services such as ID.me, VerifyPass, or SheerID.com. Some programs, like GOVX, offer membership that grants access to savings across various brands. Eligibility generally requires full-time employment or retirement from a state, federal, or local agency.
Retail and Service Discounts
The following categories of discounts are available to EMS professionals:
- Preparedness and Safety: American Family Safety offers a 15% discount on preparedness supplies and survival kits to all first responders.
- Memberships:
- Sam’s Club: New members receive a 60% discount on a Club membership or $50 off a Sam’s Club Plus membership.
- GOVX: Provides savings on hundreds of retail brands, travel packages, hotels, rental cars, and theme parks for uniformed professionals.
- Food and Beverage:
- Fire Department Coffee: Offers a 15% discount code for all first responders.
- Black Rifle Coffee Company: Provides 25% off the first subscription to police, fire, and EMS personnel.
- Athletic Brewing Co.: Offers 10% savings on non-alcoholic beer, sparkling water, and merchandise.
- Home Goods:
- Wolf Mattress: First responders save 15%.
Retailer-Specific Offers
Some retailers offer specific promotions that may be relevant to EMS professionals. For instance, Ulta Beauty is mentioned in the context of a phone number request at checkout, though the specific offer details are not provided in the source material. Baskin-Robbins offers a free scoop of ice cream for users who download their app and sign up for the mobile program.
Public Resources and Free Services
The source material also highlights general free services that may be useful to EMS professionals and the community at large.
Pet Identification
The service "Found.org" is mentioned as a free online resource for pet microchip registration. Users can upload pet details, including pictures, and transfer chip ownership at no cost. This is particularly relevant as EMS professionals often encounter pets during home visits or emergencies.
Digital Media and Education
Public libraries offer free access to digital media. For example, the Seal Beach Mary Wilson Library offers assistance on downloading free eBooks and eMagazines to digital devices.
Parks and Recreation
National parks and monuments offer free entry on specific federal holidays, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents Day. These free days allow for community recreation and stress relief.
Conclusion
EMS Week serves as a vital platform for acknowledging the sacrifices and service of EMS professionals. The appreciation demonstrated during this week ranges from public recognition events to the distribution of food and merchandise. Furthermore, EMS professionals have access to a variety of year-round commercial discounts on essentials such as coffee, mattresses, and safety equipment. These offers, combined with free public resources like microchip registration services and educational workshops, provide tangible benefits to the workforce.