Burlington Fire Department Recognizes Emergency Medical Staff During EMS Week

BURLINGTON — Fire Chief Michael Patterson is pleased to announce that the Burlington Fire Department 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 account for approximately 68% of all the calls that the Burlington Fire Department 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. There have been more than 200 confirmed cases of the virus in Burlington and many of these patients have been cared for or transported to the hospital by members of the Burlington Fire Department.

“I am proud to honor our EMS staff this week and recognize the incredible work they do to protect the health and safety of Burlington residents,” Chief Patterson said. “Each time they answer a call, they are able to remain calm and quickly provide whatever help is needed. I commend each and every one of them, especially during these difficult times we find ourselves in.”

The Burlington Fire Department’s has 14 firefighters/paramedics and 39 firefighters/emergency medical technicians.

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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