During National EMS Week, communities across the country recognize EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, and other emergency responders for the work they do every day to help people during some of their most critical moments. While emergency response is one of the most visible parts of the job, EMS professionals do much more than what people see in the public eye.
National EMS Week was first established in 1974 by President Gerald Ford. The week was created to honor emergency medical professionals and highlight the role EMS plays within healthcare and communities. Since then, it has become an annual week recognizing the lifesaving work EMS providers perform and also the dedication, training, and commitment people put into this profession.
EMTs and paramedics are often some of the first healthcare providers to arrive during emergencies. Depending on their certification level, EMS providers can assess patients, administer medication, control bleeding, take vital signs and provide many other treatments before patients ever even reach the hospital.
Contrary to popular beliefs, EMS calls are not always the dramatic emergencies people often imagine. While providers do respond to serious incidents, many calls involve patients experiencing weakness, falls, general illnesses or other situations requiring medical attention.
Timothy Clark and EMT on the Monmouth Junction First Aid Squad explained that many people have a misconception about the type of calls EMS workers respond to.
“A majority of our calls are not people that are about to die. It’s just people that are having some sort of issue that they can’t tend to themselves.” Clark said.
Many people only see EMS providers during the few minutes they spend on scene, but much of their work happens behind the scenes. Crews spend time restocking medical supplies, writing patient care reports, and preparing for future calls. Staying prepared is an important part of the job because providers never know when the next emergency will happen.
A typical shift can also look different from day to day. Clark described his own routine during his shifts.
“I usually get to the squad building around 5:45 PM before my shift which starts at 6:00PM. We do a rig check which is when we check each and every piece of equipment on the ambulance to make sure they are in working order and safe to use. We also like to do some kind of training drill with the cadets, and then we’ll take calls as they come.”
Communication is also a major part of working in EMS. EMTs and paramedics work with others like firefighters, police officers, nurses, and doctors, while also interacting with patients and any bystanders on scene. Some providers say communication and empathy are just as important.
South Brunswick High School Senior and Monmouth Junction First Aid Squad EMT, Vedha Das (‘26) said, “EMS has really helped my communication skills and teamwork skills a lot. It taught me to take a second to think and then act, but still act quickly and with purpose.”
For many providers, the most rewarding part of EMS is the ability to directly help others. Even small moments can leave a lasting impact.
“You get to see in real time that you made a difference in somebody’s life, and I think that’s rare in any other field,” Clark said.
National EMS Week serves as a reminder that EMS involves much more than what people see. Behind every emergency call are people who spend countless hours training, preparing, and responding whenever their communities need help. Whether responding to major emergencies or simply helping someone through a difficult day, EMS professionals continue to make a difference in the lives of others every day.
