What’s the difference between a child and an adult in an emergency situation? A lot more than you’d think! And during Emergency Medical Services Week, Ada County Paramedics is celebrating the mission of Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC.)
EMSC is a program that raises awareness surrounding how much differently children respond to illnesses and injuries than adults– and that specialized pediatric care is necessary. EMSC also strives to improve initiatives and projects that help ensure the entire spectrum of EMS, from prevention of illness and injury to acute care and rehabilitation, is available no matter where the child or adolescent may live.
The overall mission of EMSC is to reduce child and youth mortality and morbidity caused by severe illness or trauma. EMS for Children focuses on ensuring top-of-the-line emergency medical care and state-of-the-art medical resources are available to ill and injured children.
Each year the federal EMSC Program, along with the American College of Emergency Physician’s celebrate EMS Week. For the past 12 years, during this week-long celebration, EMS for Children Day has been honored on Wednesday during EMS Week. The purpose of this day is to continue to raise awareness about the need to improve and expand specialized care for children in the pre-hospital and acute care settings.
This year Ada County Paramedics will celebrate this special day by interacting with children and their parents at Wahooz Fun Zone. Ada County Paramedics will have an ambulance available for kids to tour from 5:00 – 8:00 pm on May 21, 2014 and we’ll also be handing out safety information, band aids and holding a contest for a first aid kit! Wahooz is also offering discounted admission to all local first responders with a badge or ID throughout EMS Week.
At Ada County Paramedics, we’re well equipped to provide the highest level of healthcare available to our pediatric population. Our ambulances are stocked with pediatric-sized equipment and have means to transport all patients safely including infant safety restraints that attach to the gurneys and built-in car seats.
Ada County Paramedics has long celebrated pediatric health and education. Our paramedics habitually visit local schools to teach children about first aid safety and what it’s like to work as a paramedic. We also donate time and employee-pooled resources to local causes like the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, as well as hold annual toy drives to benefit children who are hospitalized during the holidays. We invite you to celebrate EMS For Children Day with us today and every day! We’re in it for Life!