It’s EMS Week 2016 and we’re excited to kick off the celebrations by sharing what this week all about – and how we’re using it to help raise money for a worthy organization.

EMS Week was first recognized in 1973 by President Gerald Ford. It’s set aside to recognize the lifesaving work of EMS professionals through events, education and community outreach. Celebrated by communities, hospitals, healthcare organizations, survivors, EMS agencies, and companies like Braun Industries, it is a great way to shed light on the very important work that first responders do day in and day out.

Two driving organizations in the awareness of EMS Week are the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT). Together, they’ve developed a campaign known as “EMS Strong” which aims to “celebrate, unify and inspire the men and women of our nation’s emergency medical services.” The campaign is promoted most heavily during EMS Week, and this year it has a secondary theme of “Called to Care.”

So many EMS professionals are drawn to first response by their desire to care for others. For many, it’s more than just a job – it’s a calling… and not an easy one. The high rates of suicide, stress, and PTSD among first responders highlight what a profound impact “just doing a job” can have on such professionals. During EMS Week, we have an opportunity to take a moment to recognize these amazing people and the work they do. We also have a chance to give back.

During EMS Week 2016, we will be raising money for the New Orleans EMS Foundation. For every new page like we receive on Facebook from May 15-21, 2016, we will donate $1.00 to the NOEMS Foundation*. A 501c3, this non-non-profit serves to strengthen the preparedness and responsiveness of NOEMS through empowerment – providing equipment, community outreach and professional development and training. To learn more, you can visit their website here or follow them on Facebook.

Braun Industries has a strong connection to New Orleans EMS. The department runs a fleet of custom Liberty ambulances and has gained widespread attention for the units on the hit A&E reality show, Nightwatch. Braun Industries wants to help draw awareness to the organization that is working hard to support their own. The cast of Nightwatch has done much in its first 2 seasons to shed light on the EMS profession, and we are happy to donate to an organization that serves them.

As a culmination to EMS Week 2016, we will be offering all of our Facebook followers (old and new) a chance to win a Braun Industries jacket on Friday, May 20^th. Details of the giveaway will be posted to our Facebook page that day for #BraunFanFriday. To make sure you don’t miss your chance to win, LIKE our Facebook page here.

To all the EMS professionals reading this… Happy EMS Week 2016. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. We are proud to serve a profession that serves others-making a difference daily!

*Per previous years, the donation limited will be capped. The 2016 donation limit is $1,000. Thank you for understanding!

5/17/16 Update: Congratulations! We reached our goal of raising $1,000 for NOEMSF by day 3 of our campaign. A check will be presented to the organization at EMS World 2016.