Thanks to EMS professionals

We all pray we will never need their services, but this week is recognized as National EMS Week.

The honor began in 1974 under the Ford administration. It is an opportunity to thank the individuals and entities who work in challenging fields where decisions and response time can mean the difference between life and death.

As noted on the entity's government website, emergency medical services are more than rushing an ambulance or helicopter to the scene of an accident. EMS professionals work as part of a system that involves health care facilities, public health and public safety.

You can read more about the profession and the levels of coordination online at ems.gov/whatisems.htm.

EMS Week is a reminder to all of us that when we see an ambulance on the road with its flashers on, take the warning seriously and safely get out of the way.

To those in this community who work in or with EMS, thank you.