This is National EMS Week, a time to show our gratitude toward EMTs and paramedics who provide lifesaving care across the nation every day.
EMS Week is also a time to educate the public about EMS, and the essential service they provide to our community.
As Lewis County EMS nears completion of its first year of operation, Director Michael Byble says the department will receive many words and gestures of appreciation this week but he hears words of appreciation for the department every day.
“The response to our crews has been positive and phenomenal,” Byble said.
This year’s theme is “We Care. For Everyone.”
The dedication and lifesaving skills of EMS professionals are put to the test every day. They are called to care in big cities and in small towns, in private homes, businesses, schools and on our nation’s roadways.
Whether it’s saving a young victim of a motor vehicle crash, helping an elderly patient who’s forgotten to take her medication, stabilizing a construction worker experiencing chest pain on the jobsite, or treating an overdose, they are trained and ready to deliver a range of medical interventions and support.
The roles and responsibilities of EMS workers are growing and changing and they are rising to the challenge.
From community paramedicine to preventive healthcare, the professionals are tasked with providing next-level patient navigation and care in new surroundings, using new technologies.
“We’re there for our community, whenever and wherever they need us,” Byble states.
“Our EMS workers are an invaluable asset in our ability to assist our residents and motorists in times of need,” said Lewis County Judge Executive George Sparks.
“These professionals have a very difficult and very important job. Lewis County EMS workers are a vital part of our public safety team. The work they do every day is important and I’m proud of the effort they put forth in performing their duties,” Sparks adds.
“Our EMS workers serve as a vital link in our chain of first responders,” says Sheriff Johnny Bivens.
“They provide a crucial service and we depend on them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year,” Bivens adds. “And they do it well.”
Lewis County Emergency Management Director Dennis Brown said “EMS workers are the heartbeat of our emergency response system—courageous, compassionate, and always ready when seconds count.”
Brown said that while most run away from danger, “EMS runs toward it—with skill, compassion, and unwavering dedication.”
“They run to medical emergencies, domestic violence calls, motor vehicle collisions, fires, and other urgent situations,” he said.
“EMS Week is a time to reflect on the sacrifices these professionals make and the lives they change,” he added. “On behalf of our entire emergency management and first responder teams, thank you for your service, your compassion, and your unwavering commitment.”
“It’s an honor to coordinate emergency efforts with such skilled and selfless EMS professionals. Your work doesn’t just save lives—it uplifts our community. Thank you for being the heroes we depend on,” Brown stated.
“The work of Lewis County EMS is not just about emergencies, it’s about humanity. It’s about showing up when people are at their most vulnerable. To all our EMS providers, thank you for representing the very best of public service,” said Lewis County EMS Board Chair Danny Palmer.
“Our EMS workers are the foundation of our emergency care system, and as a member of the EMS Board of Directors, I speak for our entire leadership when I say we are proud, humbled, and forever grateful for your dedication,” Palmer added.
EMS Week is a time to thank paramedics, EMTs and the entire EMS workforce for their service and sacrifices.
It’s also an opportunity for EMS to continue to raise public awareness about the critical role of EMS in the community.
Find more information at: https://www.naemt.org/initiatives/ems-week.
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