Help Gain Recognition for EMS

NAEMT continuously works on a national level to gain recognition for the life-saving work of EMS practitioners across our nation. And you can help! Following are a few suggestions that can help you strengthen community support, remind the public of all the good you do, and whip up enthusiasm and renew commitment in your department.

Host EMS Week events: Does your service host community events to draw attention to the annual National EMS Week? It's a great time to draw attention to your work in the community. Consider holding an open house and giving tours of your station to the public, or sponsoring blood pressure checks at a local mall or senior center. Draw attention to the work of your colleagues by recognizing outstanding EMS professionals in your community. Participate or contribute to the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride.
Sponsor a public awareness campaign: Whether you work for a fire department or a hospital or private ambulance service, you easily can advocate for the work you do within your community by holding a public awareness campaign.Work with local businesses to find ways to promote your service and the important work you do. Talk to stores about placing flyers in bags for customers to take home with them, or put up posters in the windows of businesses that explain what EMS work is about. Contact schools and give tours of your station to children. You may choose to do this during National EMS Week, promoting any community events you're holding, or at a different time.
Host Fire Prevention Week events: If you’re among the one-third of all EMS practitioners who work for a fire-based service, it’s not too late to start planning for Fire Prevention Week, which occurs in early October. Visit www.nfpa.org for details on this year's theme. Ask your captain or chief if you can set up an EMS display as part of the department’s overall activities during Fire Prevention Week to draw attention to the fact that your department does more than fight fire.
Set up a speaker’s bureau: Another way to be your own advocate is to provide a speaker’s bureau that can help improve recognition for your service by explaining the specialized training that EMTs and paramedics receive and the equipment you use, such as AEDs or bariatric rigs. By getting the word out to schools, childrens' group leaders and community groups and senior centers, you improve recognition for you and your service. Once your community knows who you are and what you do, you’ll get credit for more than driving an ambulance.
Work with local media: Contact local newspapers and TV stations when you take delivery of new equipment that will benefit the community, raise funds for charity as a team, or when your service reaches a significant milestone of employee service or patient care. Read Tips for Holding a Great Interview for getting ready for an interview with the media.
Even if you don’t have a big news story to report, offer to be a resource to health reporters who may be looking for a visual feature story that an ambulance ride-along or a reporter shadowing one of your crews can provide.