PICKENS — From May 15-21, Pickens County will celebrate the 42nd National EMS Week.

All EMS workers deserve recognition for the work they do within the community. They are a critical component of emergency medicine and the public health safety net. While they remain behind the scenes most times, paramedics save lives on a daily basis — a service that should not be taken lightly. They are well-trained and skilled individuals. On any given day, EMS responds to any and all medical emergencies, whether it is cardiac arrest, car accidents, difficulty breathing, drowning, stroke, drug overdose, etc.

EMS is able to provide both basic and advanced medical care to patients at the scene and en route to a hospital. Their abilities and response time to emergencies is quite impressive. It is safe to say they are the difference between life and death.

The Pickens County community recognizes and thanks all EMS personnel for their service and willingness to work within our great community. To show a small token of appreciation, lunch will be provided to all EMS employees throughout the week by local businesses including Ingles, Papa John’s, Lowe’s, Applebee’s, Fatz, and Meineke Car Care.

Although EMS is being honored this week, they will also be giving out helmets to first-grade students in remembrance of Emma Boughman, a little girl struck by a car while riding her scooter without a helmet. EMS is able to purchase more helmets each year with donations given by the community. Donations can be made to the Emma Kapps (Kids Are Precious People) account at the First Citizens Bank in Liberty. Helmets will be presented to students, as well as education on protecting the vital organs when riding scooters or bikes.

EMS week will close Saturday, May 21, with a Health Fair at the United Methodist Church in Liberty. This a chance for the public and EMS to interact with one another, and a chance for the community to be educated in health related issues and procedures.