CLES Celebrates National EMS Week 2021
CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITY
Over the last year, the pandemic has given people a small glimpse of the vital role of EMS professionals. The sacrifice and dedication of ETTs, EMTs, Paramedics and other EMS practitioners has rightfully earned them admiration and gratitude in their communities.
Calling us heroes sometimes obscures the fact that – behind those masks – are people who, every day, take on many crucial roles: Healthcare professional. Emergency manager. Social worker. Crisis counselor. Caregiver.
This year, for National EMS Week, we honor the many roles of EMS professionals and the people behind the scenes who support them. We also recognize the need to share our story with the rest of the world, to make sure people understand that EMS isn’t defined by lights and sirens or ambulance rides. The full portrait of what EMS does and who we are is much more complex, diverse and nuanced.
Cooper Landing Emergency Services (CLES) is no exception. Over the past 12 months, CLES has faced many challenges and some incredible opportunities. Responding to almost 100 calls in 2020, we rose to the occasion. Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, we were able to adapt to the new “norm” by instituting online training, social distancing, much stricter PPE requirements, a dedicated ambulance for potential COVID calls and many more.
Now is the time to thank our DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS who have given unselfishly over the past year. A team of more than 20 ETT, EMT, and AEMT members volunteered more than 500 hours of their time to respond to fire and EMS calls in 2020 and completed more than 450 hours of training despite the COVID restrictions. Our volunteers responded 307 individual times or 3.7 volunteers per call (keep in mind, most EMS calls were only 2 EMS volunteers). Almost 1000 volunteer hours away from family were given to ensure the safety and care to the citizens and visitors to the Cooper Landing area.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR AN OUTDOOR “OPEN HOUSE” AT THE COOPER LANDING FIRE STATION TO VIEW OUR AMBULANCES AND FIRE APPARTUS ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 19TH FROM 3PM-6PM! REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED AND THIS WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET OUR VOLUNTEERS AND ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT ENTERTAIN.
DURING THIS WEEK, SHOULD YOU SEE ANY OF OUR EMS VOLUNTEERS IN A LOCAL ESTABLISHMENT, PLEASE THANK THEM FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO THE COMMUNITY OF COOPER LANDING!
Please visit our website at www.cooperlandinges.org or our Cooper Landing Emergency Services Facebook page.