New:

• National EMS Memorial Bike Ride Rolls into Roanoke, VA
• Video: National EMS Memorial Bike Ride: Day 5
• Video: National EMS Memorial Bike Ride: Day 4
• Video: National EMS Memorial Bike Ride: Day 3
• Video: National EMS Memorial Bike Ride: Day 2
• Video: National EMS Memorial Bike Ride: Day 1
• Video: National EMS Memorial Bike Ride: Introduction
• EMS Week 2008: Giving a More Effective Ambulance Tour
• EMS Ride Cyclists Robbed in Maryland

Is your agency ready for EMS Week 2008? The event runs May 18-24 this year, and a full planning kit is available online from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).

EMS Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to publicize safety and honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine's "front line."

The theme for 2008 is "Your Life is Our Mission." This statement was chosen to recognize the commitment that emergency medical personnel make to the communities they serve. This dedication to their mission provides round-the-clock care to communities across the nation.

ACEP provides tips and ideas for EMS Week activities, and this year they say, the focus is on fun. They provide articles on how to integrate an EMS mascot into your celebrations, as well as recipes for fun EMS Week foods like squishy gelatin brains and body part punch.

As in past EMS Week publications, this year's guide features articles on hosting an open house, working with the media and celebrating EMS Week by joining one of the many national events held around the country. Tips also include ways to reach out to senior citizens, as well as children, with ideas such as a teddy bear clinic and a bicycle rodeo.

Continuing the commitment to the safety of children, EMS Week will have a day dedicated to awareness of safety and injury prevention programs for children: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 will be EMS for Children Day.

The entire EMS Week Planning Guide, as well as individual fact sheets, is available at www.acep.org/emsweek. Agencies are encouraged to use and personalize this material to promote EMS in your community.

If your agency has EMS Week plans, share them with ACEP and the EMS community. E-mail your plans, along with any related website links, press releases, photos, contact information, etc. to Heather Caspi at EMSResponder.com, and to Lauren Simon for ACEP.