EMS Solutions is giving away some of their most popular products for EMS Week. In addition, they are running a contest to win even more products. Visit the special EMS Week. Details at  http://ems-safety.com/emsweek.htm

For this installment I thought it would be a good idea to take a break from the series and focus on our time in the spotlight as EMS professionals.

Although the only people usually shining that light are our peers and related industries. Most people are not even aware that EMS Week exists.

They sure know when Secretary's Day is or Bring Your Child to Work Day. Not that I am trying to bring these days of recognition down. The question is, why isn't EMS Week more recognized?

The amount of PSA ads that go out for EMS is small compared to other career related weeks. Plus EMS Week is always geared to an educational program for the general public rather than just a day of recognition for EMS.

I suppose that is the whole of EMS. Recognition isn't really our thing. It is nice when it happens, but it never really is something we look for.

EMS week allows us to interact with the public on a more calmer note, without all the sirens and stress that they may otherwise relate to us with.

Perhaps by joining with the public and putting out these educational themes will some day have them realize that EMS Week is day for us. Maybe they already realize it. After all, a good day for us is when we help someone or make a difference in a life, no matter how small. That's the only recognition we need.

This year has shown that EMS is taking the steps to a better future. With organizations and committees being developed to enhance training, better the workplace conditions and get EMS to where it needs to be.

Our future is bright and we must look to ourselves to make that spotlight bigger. As I've said before, take action, join these organizations and get involved.

EMS Week is a great tradition and always brings out the best in us each year. It allows us to show the general public who we are behind the sirens. It is a testimonial that we truly are Extraordinary People performing an Extraordinary Service...

... but then , you already knew that.