Emergency Medical Services for Children Day

We celebrate Emergency Medical Services for Children Day on Wednesday during Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week. Also known as EMS Day, we give special thanks to EMS providers for responding to the needs of millions of Americans every year.

#EMSForChildrenDay

On this day, we raise awareness about the need to improve specialized care for children. Emergency care often involves parents, caregivers, trained EMS providers, and hospital staff. Together, they strive to meet the unique needs of critically ill or injured children.

Emergency Medical Services Overview

Emergency Medical Services are a collection of resources forming a large system. The structure of EMS provides medical, financial, and community services. Agencies in EMS include fire departments, law enforcement, search and rescue, and medical personnel. EMS services are extensive.

The main goal of EMS is to provide emergency medical care. EMS members are the first to respond to emergencies and identify health problems. Whether an emergency involves an accident, hazardous spills, or a life-threatening illness, EMS providers are trained to offer emergency medical care.

EMS Network Components

• Private and public agencies
• Hospitals and trauma centers
• Rehab facilities
• Trained emergency professionals
• 911 networks
• Volunteers
• Federal, state, city, and county officials

Supporting EMS Services

• Support EMS personnel and first responders
• Help bring quality EMS services to children and the community
• Participate in activities on EMS for Children Day and throughout the week
• Attend EMS training sessions, in person or online
• Read fact sheets and flyers about EMS services
• Visit an EMS facility
• Update your knowledge on assisting in emergencies
• Take a First Aid course
• Advocate for and support the EMSC program in your area
• Use #EMSForChildrenDay to post on social media

Historical Moments in EMS

• 1967: The Division of Emergency Treatment & Transfer is established due to concerns about highway crashes.
• 1969: Dr. William Haddon introduces the first DOT Inter-Departmental Safety Seminar, known as the Haddon Matrix, the first model for EMS services.
• 1971: The National Standard Curriculum for EMTs sets the first national standards for EMS education.
• 1974: President Gerald Ford declares November 3-10 as the first National Emergency Medical Services Week.
• 1984: HRSA funds the new EMS for Children program.
• 1996: A community effort guides the development of EMS systems.
• 2001: The National EMS Information System (NEMSIS) is established, improving data collection for EMS services and training.
• 2005: The National 911 Program is created, providing a reliable and cost-effective system utilizing new communication technologies.
• 2007-2013: EMS services see improvements through assessments, technology, recommendations, and funding.
• 2019: A new vision for the EMS system is created by hundreds of stakeholders from the EMS community.

National EMSC Day Founding

National EMSC Day was founded by the federal EMSC Program and partners with the American College of Emergency Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Emergency Nurses Association to raise awareness about the need for improved care for children in prehospital and acute care settings.

May 22nd Celebrated History

• 1884: The Ringling Brothers stage their first circus.
• 1910: The Earth passes through Halley's Comet's tail, coinciding with author Mark Twain's death, which he had predicted.
• 1928: Calaveras County, California, hosts its first Frog Jumping Jubilee.
• 1962: Marilyn Monroe sings "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy.

May 22nd Celebrated Birthdays

• Johns Hopkins (1795): A businessman and philanthropist, Hopkins founded Johns Hopkins University, Hospital, and School of Medicine.
• Henry G. Ginaca (1876): He engineered the machine that automatically peeled and cored pineapples for Dole Packaged Foods.
• Frank Luke (1897): A World War I fighter ace, awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously.
• Malcolm X (1925): A minister and civil rights leader, known for his eloquent oratory and activism.
• Lorraine Hansberry (1930): Playwright of the award-winning Broadway play "A Raisin in the Sun."
• Mario Chalmers (1986): NBA point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies.