STURGIS, S.D. – The Sturgis Ambulance Service is celebrating National E.M.S. Week and on Monday, held their annual open house at their home base on Ball Park Road.
Ambulance Service Director Shawn Fischer says E.M.S. Week is a chance to make citizens aware of what the ambulance service does. Fischer uses this week to help people realize how important it is to honor those on the front lines providing critical care.
She says ambulance services in South Dakota are not considered essential.
Fischer this is a special week to say thank you to our first responders.
Monday’s open house featured local booths, food trucks, jumping castles for the kids and a landing by the life flight helicopter.
This is the 50th annual National E.M.S. Week. It was established in 1974 by then-President Gerald Ford, who authorized the week to celebrate E.M.S. practitioners and the important work they do in communities throughout the country. This year’s theme is “E.M.S. – Where Emergency Care Begins.”
Other events this week include a heart and vascular screening at the fire hall on Tuesday and on Wednesday, the showing of a documentary at the Loud American. Fisher says it is an informational documentary about why EMS is currently in a crisis.
Fisher talks about the documentary.
The documentary will be shown at 6:30 p.m.
