On November 4, 1974 President Gerald Ford declared National Emergency Medical Services Week to honor EMS professionals and their service to their communities and our country.   The annual observance lasted for four years.

In 1982 the American College of Emergency Physicians reinstated the week to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of EMS, this time around EMS Week was celebrated in September. As recognition of the event grew, EMS advocates developed a number of community outreach programs to engage the public in aspects of the Emergency Services.

In 1992, EMS Week was again moved, this time to May.  This move was on the advise of EMS and Fire professionals as many felt that EMS Week in September, quickly followed by Fire Prevention Week in October took away from the essential public education goals of each week.  Today, we celebrate EMS the third week in May and look forward to seeing you at one of our programs scheduled in 2019!