Every day, emergency medical technicians are responding to life-threatening situations in our community and EMS Week celebrates their commitment, skill and dedication to Tuscaloosa.

May 15-May 21st has been designated as EMS Week as a way to honor local EMS professionals for their dedication to public service.

In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized May 15-May 21as EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation's communities. President Ford wanted the relatively new profession of emergency medical services was beginning to be recognized as a critical component of emergency medicine and the public health safety net.

All Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue firefighters are required to be an EMT and of those, 90 are paramedics.

EMS incidents in Tuscaloosa are on the rise, too. Last year, EMS professionals responded to 10,711 calls.

EMS Week is the perfect time to recognize EMS and all of its practitioners who serve  nation and our community.

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