Dedicated For Life

“Not everyone wants a medal for their uniform, but everybody likes to hear ‘Thank You’.”

Once again it is EMS Week – a week to recognize EMS providers, get free food, and maybe educate the public about EMS and what we do. I recently had the opportunity to be part of a podcast about EMS Week hosted by Medic SBK. One of the questions he posed in the interview was, “What part of EMS Week is something we should be doing ALL year?” There were many great ideas that came up in our conversation that I was going to highlight here, but this morning when I was thinking about this blog post, I saw the photo below.

We, as providers, don’t appreciate each other ALL year. We pick at each other, catch attitude, stab each other in the back at the drop of a hat, but hardly anyone says, “Hey man, you’ve been doing great job. Thank you for giving your all.” How can we expect other healthcare professionals, our bosses, and the general public to appreciate what we do, when we don’t expect it of ourselves?

Being dedicated for life is more than a tag line for a campaign. The things we see and experience take residence within us and resonate far beyond retirement. Most of us are so busy keeping on our game face on and pushing down anything that looks like emotion, that we can’t begin to recognize the lack of general wellness in EMS as a whole. Sometimes, I wonder if we forget that we are human.

I challenge you all to say “Thank you” at least once a week to a fellow EMS provider. Really appreciate them and let them know you mean it. If you need to write a note because you get tongue-tied or shy then do it! Let them know you are thankful for ALL their sacrifice: the holidays, the birthday parties, the vacations, the lost sleep, the cold food, the fights with family, and even their mental sacrifice.

I want to thank you all for your service and every sacrifice, no matter how small, to care for other people, most of which are strangers. You truly give your ALL, every part of you, and I am grateful that there are strong men and women out there to help us when we fall ill or are injured. Not everyone can do this job. You are a rare breed, and are to be treasured. I am honored to get to work with you and be a part of your life.