National EMS Week is nearly here, and the Burlington County Commissioners are teaming with the Burlington County EMS Chief’s Association and Rowan College at Burlington County’s paramedic science degree program to celebrate in a very big way.
Residents of all ages are invited to attend a special EMS Week Celebration on Saturday, May 18, from 11 AM to 3 PM, at the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center, 53 Academy Drive, Westampton.
During the event, visitors will have opportunities to meet local emergency medical service professionals, learn about the services they perform, and the education and training required to become an emergency medical technician or paramedic. The event will also feature displays of EMS, police and fire equipment and vehicles and demonstrations of emergency response activities, including air medical helicopter evacuations, CPR and stop the bleed techniques.
There will also be information tables related to health and health care programs, safety and education programs. Free child car seat safety checks by the Burlington County Sheriff’s Office and health screenings will also be offered, and the Burlington County Animal Shelter will also be on site with information about adoption and foster programs.
“Every day, Burlington County residents rely upon the dedication, skill and courage of first responders. These heroes work tirelessly, going where and when they’re needed to provide whatever assistance is possible,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “EMS Day will provide opportunities for residents to meet these essential heroes and learn more about what they do. It’s a great opportunity for people interested in a career in EMS, but we’re encouraging others to come and thank our first responders.”
Among the education programs the event will spotlight is the paramedic science degree program at Rowan College at Burlington County. The program delivers the education and training required for students to become New Jersey certified and nationally registered paramedics.
Instruction occurs in-person in RCBC classrooms and simulation labs, as well as in the field with leading healthcare systems such as Virtua Health, Cooper University Health Care and Hackensack Meridian JFK University.
The college also offers an Emergency Medical Technician Certification Program that provides hands-on-training and instruction needed for students to become New Jersey-certified EMTs.
“Paramedics and EMTs truly save lives and deserve public recognition for their work in our communities,” said RCBC President Dr. Michael A. Cioce. “As host of the region’s premier training program for paramedic science, Rowan College at Burlington County is thrilled to team up with the Burlington County Commissioners and EMS Chief’s Association to highlight these heroes.”
Dr. Herb Conaway, director of the Burlington County Health Department, said the event would showcase Burlington County’s first responders and why they are so important.
“We want to shine a spotlight on the heroes amongst us who are willing to step forward and put themselves in harm’s way in service to our communities,” Dr. Conaway said. “We want to make sure residents understand what first responders do and why they are so important. By doing so, we hope to inspire more residents to consider joining up to provide these same critical services.”
“We’d like to thank the Burlington County Commissioners for hosting this event and showcasing the RCBC paramedic science degree and EMT certification programs,” added Palmyra-Cinnaminson-Riverton EMS Chief Danny Norman, president of the Burlington County EMS Chiefs Association. “It’s a great opportunity for the residents to understand what it takes to be an EMT and what the paramedic science program has to offer.”