It's national EMS day today and National EMS week this week

It's national EMS week.  In fact, National EMS week is celebrating it's 40th birthday this year.  It began in 1974 under President Ford.  A brief history on the subject. I'd like to urge you to thank those who aid us in our darkest times.  When you dial 9-1-1 you are generally in need and no matter the circumstances they arrive.

I also urge you to reach and out and do something nice for someone that you know in that line of work this week.  They are often under-paid, have long hours, physically demanding jobs and face death on a regular basis and are many times the ones who have to express sorry for the loss of a loved one to family.

If you follow my blog you will know that my daughter is a paramedic.  She's just 26 years old and I've known that medical emergencies was her calling since she was a little girl.  It took her a bit longer.  She headed off the college the summer of 2006 telling me she was going to be a "sports trainer".  I just said "yeah, right" and sent money to college every semester.  As she closed in on the end of her college career I got a phone call.  She was headed from college to EMT school.  And as soon as she was a Nationally registered EMT who was gainfully employeed she was right back in school to become a paramedic.  She's also taken additional classes to be certificed to teach advanced stroke support classes to other EMTs and Paramedics. She just went back and got her degree and will be applying to medical school this summer.

In a few years Abigail may be a doctor, but I can tell you that I've learned a great deal about what EMTs and Paramedics and first responders go through and that the "work family" she has had for the past 5 years will ALWAYS be family to her.

When she was a child she loved to watch Rescue 911 hosted by William Shatner.  In fact I am sure she could sit down and watch the re-runs right now and tell you how each episode would turn out. She played "CPR" instead of dress up with her dolls. She loved to visit my uncle Eugene at the fire department and even got to take the occassional ride in the fire truck. In her "spare" time she's also gotten her firefighter certification as well.  

Two years ago when one of her coworkers was struck by a car, he said "Abi was one of the ones I would have wanted to have come save me".  Her job is incredibly difficult and at times truly heartbreaking.  She loves to beat the grim reaper and still sheds tears at the loss of life. She was recently awarded a state "trauma code save" award for helping to save the life of someone with a less than 10% chance of survival. I know she's doing what she was meant to do in this world.  She's saving lives. 

She has to work holidays, she has to stand outside in the rain, the heat, the cold and she has to think and re-act with rapid speed.  Can you tell I'm a very proud mom? So thank you to my Abigail who has chosen a path in the life to save others. I love her with all my heart and I know this world is a better, safer place with her in it.

Today in National EMS day, this is National EMS week.  Make a difference in the life of a hero who makes a difference in the lives of families in crisis every single day on the job.