Berkley Fire Rescue Recognizes Emergency Medical Staff During EMS Week

Sunday, May 17 to Saturday, May 23

BERKLEY — Chief Scott Fournier is pleased to announce that Berkley Fire Rescue will honor its emergency medical personnel this week as part of national EMS week.

This year’s EMS Week began Sunday, May 17 and ends Saturday, May 23. The annual event celebrates the work of emergency medical practitioners who are on the front lines protecting residents in their communities when emergencies arise.

Emergency medical calls make up the vast majority of the ones that the Berkley Fire Rescue responds to in a given year, further emphasizing the invaluable role its EMS providers play on a daily basis. This has become even more apparent during the COVID-19 global health pandemic. Since the onset of the pandemic, approximately 75% of all calls Berkley Fire Rescue responds to are EMS related.

Berkley Fire Rescue EMS consists of 34 emergency medical professionals. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the department’s annual EMS breakfast that celebrates the departments EMS practitioners was canceled.

“Our emergency medical professionals have the ability to remain calm and render aid under strenuous circumstances in an array of different situations,” said Chief Fournier.  “This is no small task, so for that I commend each and every one of them. Their services are invaluable to our department and community as a whole.”

A special dedication was made by the American College of Emergency Physicians this year for EMS workers who have died due to COVID-19 related complications as well.

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