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Our modern EMS system has a short history of only 40 years and can be traced back to a single piece of legislation introduced in 1973. Sponsored by Senator Alan Cranston of California, the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Systems Act of 1973 was a pioneering piece of legislation. It was one of the first pieces of federal legislation that sought to give all individuals equal access to emergency medical services.
The EMS Systems Act established regional EMS systems through the administration of federal grants. These grants were marked to fund the study and planning of an EMS system, establishment and initial operation, expansion and improvement, EMS training and research. To receive the funds, regional EMS systems were required to serve everyone in their district and be run by one public or private nonprofit agency.
The EMS Systems Act also spelled out 15 elements of an EMS system. One of these was public education. To help fulfill these elements, the first director of the Division of Emergency Medical Service Systems (DEMSS) - David R. Boyd - convinced President Gerald R. Ford to proclaim an "Emergency Medical Services Week." The week would serve as an opportunity for EMS systems around the country to reach out to the public and help educate them on emergency medical care and more.
According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, the three primary goals of EMS Week are:
- Promote your EMS service within your local community
- Educate the public on safety and health-related topics,
- Provide information on new EMS clinical procedures or equipment to EMS providers
EMS Week always occurs during the third full week in May. The 2012 theme is "EMS: More Than A Job. A Calling."
Sources:
EMS Week 2012 Planning Guide from The American College of Emergency Physicians
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