Emergency Medical Services Week, 2021

Proclamation 10211 of May 14, 2021

Emergency Medical Services Week, 2021

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Every day, in communities across the country, Emergency
Medical Service (EMS) providers put themselves on the
line to save lives, safeguard dangerous situations, and
deliver hope to families and communities in crisis.
With selflessness, professionalism, and grace under
fire, they provide essential care--never more so than
during our battle with COVID-19 over the past year.
This year's Emergency Medical Services Week theme,
``THIS IS EMS: Caring for Our Communities,'' honors our
heroic frontline workers who provide vital emergency
medical care and ease the burden of crisis for
Americans in need of help.

Through service, compassion, and dedication, EMS
providers represent the very best of the American
spirit. In the face of unprecedented challenges, their
expertise, endurance, and hard work have been a literal
lifeline for families in every community. Whether
responding to the enormous suffering caused by COVID-
19, the devastation of extreme climate events, or daily
medical emergencies, EMS providers--many of whom are
volunteers--prepare, sacrifice, and put others ahead of
themselves. Not only do they assume the heightened
risks associated with emergency care during a pandemic,
but they also spend countless hours away from families
and friends in order to serve their communities.

In the face of these challenges, EMS providers have not
hesitated to take on new roles, including supporting
COVID-19 testing, therapeutics, and vaccination sites.
To help support the women and men who do this vital
work, my American Rescue Plan included $100 million to
support the mental well-being--including the mental
health--of our health care professionals,
paraprofessionals, public safety officers, and EMS
providers. My Administration has also made it a
priority to ensure that our State, local, Tribal, and
territorial partners have the resources they need so
that EMS providers are trained and equipped to respond
to public health emergencies safely and effectively,
now and in the future.

During Emergency Medical Services Week, we extend our
deepest gratitude to all EMS providers. Their courage,
selflessness, and commitment are extraordinary examples
of what it means to serve this great country. We also
extend our sincere condolences to the loved ones of EMS
providers who have given their lives in the line of
duty. This week and every week, I urge all Americans to
express their appreciation for our Nation's EMS
providers--and to bring greater safety to their lives,
and to all of our lives, by getting vaccinated to help
bring an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of
the United States of America, by virtue of the
authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws
of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 16 through
May 22, 2021, as Emergency Medical Services Week. I
call upon public officials, doctors, nurses,
paramedics, Emergency Medical Service providers, and
all the people of the United States to observe this
week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and
activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fourteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and forty-
fifth.