National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week, a week celebrating and honoring emergency medical services personnel, is May 18-24. The theme for this year is “EMS: Dedicated. For Life.

It’s the 40th year celebration of an organized EMS system in Indiana. In 1974, the General Assembly passed a bill in the creation of the EMS Commission. Indiana has 24,000 EMS personnel, over 100 EMS training institutions and over 700 EMS providers.

 

In Mayor Senter’s proclamation he notes the vital public service members of our local emergency medical service teams provide 24 hours a day, seven days a week.   The EMS system consists in Plymouth consists of Basic EMTs, Advanced EMTs and Paramedics.  The Plymouth Fire Department is luck to have 6 full-time Paramedics on duty: Marsha Wainscott, Diana Cleveland, Eric Cox, Randy McMillen, Mike Jermstrom and Nick Allen.  The department has a number of volunteer paramedics including John Grolich, Dave Houghton, Mike Humphrey, Lisa Richards, Troye Fish, and Chad Kinney. Advanced EMTs include: Jim Budd and Landon Lauber.  Basic EMTs include: Barb Bustamante, Greg Carroll, George Cook, Jesus Garcia, Steve Holm, Jason Houston, Zack Marquardt, Rod Miller, Heath Neidig, John Pasely, Ben Poulson, Dan Tanner and Maggie Tanner.

 

These full-time and volunteer men and women are engaged in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesavings skills. 

 

Mayor Senter’s proclamation said, “It is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of emergency medical services providers by designating Emergency Medical Services Week.” He then encouraged the community to observe this week by keeping these dedicated paramedics and firefighters in your thoughts and prayers.

National EMS week brings together the local community and medical personnel who are on the front-line of medicine. There are three goals of EMS week: to promote EMS service within the community; to educate the public on safety and health-related topics; and to provide information on new EMS procedures or equipment.