MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- The nation has dedicated one week each year since 1974 to the courageous individuals working as emergency medical service providers.
This year, the American College of Emergency Physicians continued its traditions and celebrated its 33rd Annual Emergency Medical Services week aboard Parris Island May 15-19.
The week-long series of events included national and local activities to commemorate EMS providers such as fire fighters, paramedics, police and first responders for their hard work and devotion to their jobs.
The Parris Island Fire Department set up booths at various areas of the Depot and enlightened Marines and their families by giving free child car seat inspections, lessons on how to prevent injuries, explaining what to do in a medical emergency and dishing out other little known details about safety.
On Tuesday, the firemen set up a location in front of the Depot Commissary and informed shoppers about the dangers of high or low blood pressure and other health concerns.
Captain Roy Dewitt, firefighter and emergency medical technician aboard Parris Island, said the week forces people to realize the importance of the EMS services provided for their safety.
"We're just trying to help out," he said. "We have indeed run across a few [people] with high blood pressure or high sugar. If we can alert these people and tell them that they need to seek medical attention, then we have done our job and may save someone some grief in the long run."
Diane Langford, a visitor who stopped by to get her blood pressure checked, said EMS week is a week to thank the local fire fighters, paramedics and police for their different kinds of service.
"[Their services] are greatly needed and appreciated," Langford said affectionately of the Parris Island personnel.
Members of the Parris Island Fire Department staff are cross-trained to be effective in many fields including: firefighters, emergency medical technicians and paramedics.
"We protect life property and the environment, in that order," Dewitt said. "We have some of the best EMT personnel in South Carolina. They are well-trained and like their jobs. Sometimes it's a thankless job, but it is good to see when you do make a difference."
To obtain an informative EMS Week kit, call 800-798-1822, or for more information, visit the web site www.acep.org/emsweek.