This week marks Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week, and there’s never been a time where it’s been more obvious how crucial EMS workers are to our community than during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

We all recognize that EMS professionals are on the front lines of this crisis everyday–planning, adapting and responding to take care of their citizens and communities. Because of the impact of COVID-19 on many EMS services across the nation it is unlikely that they will be able to celebrate and participate in EMS Week in the normal ways.

That’s why it’s so important this week to show our support for all they do to keep us safe and healthy, and to thank them for their their dedication and commitment to the community.

The 2020 EMS Week theme is Ready Today. Preparing for Tomorrow. This theme, which was developed long before the COVID-19 crisis, is particularly meaningful now as we see the EMS community rallying to continuing to support those affected by this crisis, all while still responding to the everyday emergencies that continue to occur in their communities — all while dealing with challenges such as the lack of access to appropriate PPE and fellow workers who are stricken with the virus.

Now more than ever, it is important that we honor and celebrate our EMS professionals who are supporting the health and well-being of our community — especially those brave individuals who pay the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.

We send our best wishes for the safety and health of all EMS personnel on the first lines.

Thank you to the EMS professionals on the front line of the COVID-19 crisis from St. Cloud Fire Rescue, City of Kissimmee Fire Department and Osceola County Fire Rescue and EMS