EMS Week: Honoring our local heroes

4:14 p.m. May 21, 2025

EMS Week

Moore County’s EMS professionals are often the first to arrive when an emergency strikes – whether it’s a heart attack, a car accident on Highway 55, or a fall at home. They are the first to assess, the first to treat, and, in many cases, the first to save a life.

This year’s national theme, “Honoring Our Past. Forging Our Future,” perfectly describes the legacy and promise of EMS in our community. Moore County’s emergency responders carry on a long tradition of service while continuing to train, adapt, and prepare for residents’ evolving needs.

More Than a Ride – A Lifesaving System

Moore County EMS is more than ambulances and sirens. It’s a highly trained team of EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, and support staff who work around the clock to deliver emergency care skillfully and compassionately. These professionals are equipped to respond to all situations, from serious trauma calls to respiratory distress and everything in between.

In a rural county like ours, where transport times can be longer and medical resources more spread out, the role of EMS is especially critical. The care delivered in those first few minutes can mean the difference between life and death.

Dedication Without Recognition

The work is challenging. EMS professionals work holidays, nights, and weekends. They respond in the heat of summer and the dead of winter. They face stressful, high-stakes calls and carry the emotional weight of the job home.

They don’t do it for the glory but because they care about this community.

A Grateful Community

To the Moore County EMS team: Thank you for answering the call day or night, rain or shine. Thank you for your courage in emergencies, steady hands in chaos, and unwavering care for your neighbors.

This week, and every week, Moore County salutes you.

The Origins of EMS Week

EMS Week was first authorized by President Gerald Ford in 1974. At that time, the field of emergency medical services was still relatively young and rapidly evolving. The federal government recognized the need to bring attention to the important role EMS professionals play in public health and safety.

Presidential Proclamation
In his proclamation, President Ford stated: “Emergency medical care plays a vital role in our nation’s health and safety. It is appropriate that we recognize the devoted professionals who provide this care.”

Organized by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)
Since its inception, EMS Week has been coordinated by ACEP, in partnership with the National Association of EMTs (NAEMT) and other EMS and healthcare organizations. These groups use the week to advocate for EMS awareness, professional development, and public education.

The Evolution of EMS and the Week Itself
In the early years, EMS Week served mainly to highlight the need for improved emergency medical systems, training, and funding. As EMS evolved from basic first-aid providers to highly skilled medical professionals capable of performing advanced lifesaving procedures, the focus of EMS Week also shifted – from system development to recognition and celebration.

Today, EMS Week is used to:

  • Celebrate EMS professionals for their courage, compassion, and commitment.
  • Educate the public about how EMS works and how to respond in an emergency.
  • Recruit the next generation of EMTs and paramedics.
  • Promote health and safety programs like CPR, stop-the-bleed training, and injury prevention.

A Legacy of Service
From its beginnings under President Ford to today, National EMS Week has grown into a nationwide celebration of the individuals who dedicate their lives to protecting ours. It reminds us all that behind every emergency call is a team of trained, selfless professionals ready to respond.