National EMS Week has been celebrated for the past twenty-five years, ever since President Gerald R. Ford signed the first official proclamation. Each year we celebrate EMS Week to recognize the accomplishments of the men and women who dedicate themselves to saving the lives of others and to educating the public about how and when to utilize EMS services. EMS makes a difference every day in the lives of Americans and this year's celebration serves to raise the support of the EMS providers who serve their communities to not only save lives, but to educate the public in areas of injury prevention and healthy living. Heart disease is the leading cause of death overall, but trauma is the leading cause of death in people between the ages of one and 40.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death, second only to heart disease and cancer.
In 1993, more than one-third of all injuries resulting in emergency department visits occurred at home. Smokers in their 30s and 40s have five times as many heart attacks as non-smokers. Only 15 states have statewide bicycle helmet laws, and they apply only to young riders.