National EMS Week is bringing together local communities, hospitals and medical personnel to publicize EMS and honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services on medicine's "front line.” The national theme of the May 20 through May 26 celebration is “EMS Strong: Stronger Together.”
Allentown EMS responded to nearly 15,500 calls for service in 2017. Allentown EMS is an all paramedic advanced life support service.
Allentown EMS Chief of Operations Eric Gratz said, “National Emergency Medical Services Week is a time to recognize and honor the dedication and commitment of all our medical first responders.”
President Gerald Ford authorized the first EMS Week in 1974 to celebrate EMS workers and volunteers and the important jobs they perform throughout the nation.
Allentown EMS will recognize employees during a Wednesday, May 23 proclamation ceremony at 11:00am in City Council Chambers. Allentown EMS will recognize our partners in the city’s 911 Center as well as Macungie Ambulance Corps for their assistance in rehab operations.
EMS may provide both basic and advanced medical care at emergency scenes and while en route to a hospital. More than just a mobile intensive care ambulance service, Allentown's paramedics are involved in numerous public service specialty teams such as HAZMAT, police ERT, Technical and Urban Search and Rescue, water rescue, and our dive and bike teams.
Allentown EMS has been recognized for four consecutive years by the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks.
The Allentown EMS fleet includes eight ALS equipped ambulances with two advanced life support ambulances that are staffed around the clock with two additional ALS ambulances operating during peak call-volume times. The shift supervisor responds to calls 24 hours a day in an ALS quick response vehicle.
National EMS Week also illuminates the thousands of first responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, nurses and physicians who make-up a complete system designed to save lives.
For more information visit the Allentown EMS webpage at www.allentownpa.gov or call 610-437-7531.
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