May 19-25, 2019, is the 45th annual National EMS Week. In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation's communities. The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) partners with the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) to lead annual EMS Week activities. Together, NAEMT and ACEP are working to ensure that the important contributions of EMS practitioners in safeguarding the health, safety and wellbeing of their communities are fully celebrated and recognized.

EMS Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine's "front line."  Whether celebrated with a company cookout or a catered lunch; an open house, an awards ceremony or even quiet reflection about what it means to be an EMS practitioner, EMS Week is the perfect time to recognize EMS and all that its practitioners do for our nation.

This year, five days of EMS Week have a theme that represents the diverse nature of EMS.

• Monday - EMS Education Day
• Tuesday - Safety Tuesday
• Wednesday - EMS for Children Day
• Thursday - Stop the Bleed Day
• Friday - EMS Recognition Day

A huge thank you to all of the EMS agencies that serve and protect in the Town of Smithtown and the Village of Lake Grove

Commack Volunteer Ambulance

Central Islip Hauppauge Ambulance

Kings Park Fire Department

Smithtown FIre Department

St. James Fire Department

Nesconset FIre Department

Nissequogue FIre Department

Centereach Fire Department

Ronkonkoma Fire Department

Setauket FIre Department

Together these ten agencies answered 31,635 calls in 2018. Thank you for your service and dedication to your community!