This year, EMS Week runs from May 21-27, and it’s the perfect time to reflect onthe immense value of EMS providers in our society, and the ongoing challenges they face while addressing critical health needs and saving lives. The week also presents an opportunity to educate providers’ friends, families and community members about the profession, and key things they should know about the EMS providers in their lives.

In honor of EMS Week, we’ve put together a list of common provider challenges, safety tips and resources to promote ongoing awareness and education.

First responders are on the front line of defense when it comes to keeping people safe. People depend on them to be there when disaster strikes, think quickly on their feet and make “game time” decisions. These expectations place a heavy weight on the shoulders of first responders, as each day, they’re faced with new high-stress situations. It’s important that first responders are able to lean on each other and their support systems for help, and that they’re equipped with stress management techniques that work best for them.

The American Cancer Society estimates there will be over 130,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. in 2022. This year, patients, providers and family members around the globe observed World Lung Cancer Day on August 1, which served as an opportunity to learn more about the disease and those affected as well as share resources to educate as many people as possible about risks, symptoms and treatment. 

Emergency responders are the people on the frontlines of every accident, crisis and disaster. But over time — and especially in recent years — being subjected to these stressful, traumatic situations can cause burnout and negatively affect their mental health.

Life as a paramedic means intense highs when you save lives and tend to grateful patients, as well as bottomless lows when patients die, suffer, or become combative and angry. You’ll need to be prepared for the sudden adrenaline rush of a patient in need, as well as the slow and methodical approach of intubation, explaining procedures to patients, as well as gaining the trust of seniors and children. Paramedic jobs consistently top lists of the most stressful professions. Over time, this stress can affect both your physical and mental health.

Maintenance, Practice and Preparing for Different Patient Scenarios

There are many unpredictable outcomes that can occur during airway suctioning, so it’s important to practice with a range of different products, techniques and practice codes when conducting trainings with your team. Using training equipment that allows for realistic simulations of emergency suctioning scenarios will arm your team with the strategy necessary to perform treatment steps effectively and accurately in various high-stress situations.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 7.7 percent of people, including 8.4 percent of children, have asthma. Asthma rates have steadily increased across all age groups since the 1980s. And though most people with asthma lead long and healthy lives, asthma does increase the risk of respiratory emergencies, particularly in people with other health conditions. 

2020 put emergency medical services (EMS) at the forefront of just about everyone’s minds. Neighbors erected banners celebrating emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and doctors, as healthcare workers saw enormous early death tolls in the wake of the pandemic. COVID continues to rip through communities and will figure prominently in the industry through at least the first half of 2021. 

Even minor wounds can be distressing, especially in patients with bleeding disorders or communicable diseases. Major wounds can be life-threatening, necessitating a prompt response that anticipates complications such as bradycardia and shock. Wound management is a cornerstone of good emergency medicine, and so careful planning and frequent preparation should be part of every team’s continuing education.