For those that don't know, May 19th marks the start of the National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week. Every year since 1974 the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) has been involved in recognizing EMS. Some of the goals of EMS Week bring the community and medical personnel together to publicize the importance of safety and educate the public about their local EMS system. During this period we also like to recognize the hard work that each part of the system contributes to the successful outcomes of many emergency situations in Calvert County.

In Calvert, much like the rest of the state, we rely on a tied response system to provide the quickest and most appropriate response to an emergency. To assist in this response our dispatchers at the Calvert County Control Center answer and screen 911 calls using computer aided dispatch programs. This is the patient's first contact with the county's EMS system. Our dispatch center is staffed with qualified Emergency Medical Dispatchers that can assist callers in providing early care prior to an emergency responder arriving at the scene.

Many of us tend to forget about our fellow public safety officials from the law enforcement community. How are they involved in EMS you ask? They can often be closer to many critically ill or injured patients quicker then EMS personnel can be due to the nature and location of their work. All police officers in the state are required to complete some basic first responder level training making them perfect for providing rapid care in an extremely emergent situation. So the next time you think EMS, don't forget to thank our partners from the Calvert County Sheriff's Office and the Maryland State Police.

The most visible sign of our County's EMS service are the organizations providing basic level and ambulance service out of five combination fire and EMS stations located in North Beach, Solomons, Dunkirk, Huntingtown, and St. Leonard. In addition we also have one rescue squad and one fire department located in Prince Frederick. These providers range in certification level from an Emergency Medical Responder to most commonly Emergency Medical Technicians. These providers offer some of the best basic life support (BLS) care, and do it through providing a 100% ALL VOLUNTEER service. We are the last fire and EMS system able to say that in the state.

The last tier of EMS service is provided by Calvert Advanced Life Support, and like the BLS departments remains 100% Volunteer. This unit is staffed by advanced level care providers such as Cardiac Rescue Technicians and Paramedics. In our county's response system these providers respond as a chase car, those SUVs you see, and upgrade the level of care provided by working with the basic life support providers onboard their ambulances.

Lastly, we cannot forget about our officials from the Division of Public Safety in the Fire-Rescue-EMS Office or the citizen representatives that serve on the Fire Commission or the EMS Council for their continued support. All these involved community members truly exemplify this year's National EMS Week theme "One Mission. One Team." It is because of all these people and the countless number of dedicated hours to the community that make Calvert County's EMS system one of the best in Maryland.

If you are interested in getting involved in our system and would like more information please contact your local EMS station or visit www.calvertfirerescueems.com.