National EMS Week Making a Local Impact

ANTIOCH, Ill., May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Antioch Rescue Squad is preparing for National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week by gathering tips and tricks for vehicle safety and visiting schools in the area to educate children on health and safety.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130515/DC14741LOGO)

EMS Week came to be in 1974 as a way to bring local communities together by having medical authorities publicize safety procedures, and this year it falls on the week of May 19 to May 25.

To kick off the week, ARS will be at Raymond Chevrolet on Route 173 on Thursday, May 23 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. performing a vehicle safety clinic in the showroom. They will be available to answer any questions or concerns participants have about vehicle safety and general questions.  Children will receive coloring books and adults will get a free gift just for participating.

According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, an average of 89 people die each day in motor crashes—an average of one every 16 minutes. With cell phones, GPS, and MP3 player usage at an all-time high, safety information is valuable to every person on the road.

Deputy Chief Rich Vanderwerker stressed the importance of safety procedures. "Sometimes people take their safety for granted," he said. "It doesn't have to be that way. There are a lot of things worth reviewing during a week like this."

To continue celebrating this important week, ARS will also be holding a teddy bear clinic at Grass Lake Elementary school for pre-K – 2^nd grade children for Emergency Medical Services for Children Day (EMSC) on Wednesday, May 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Students can bring in their sick teddy bears to EMTs to take care of. Volunteers will be teaching children the importance of good health and safety in an interactive way.

An ambulance will also be on display for the children to see how it works and view the inside cabin.

"We're grateful that we have the opportunity to familiarize the kids with an ambulance," Chief Brian DeKind said. "Hopefully it will deter their fears if they ever need one as a patient."

For more information, visit antiochrescuesquad.com and follow them on Facebook and Twitter @AntiochRescue.

The Antioch Rescue Squad is the sole provider of 911 ambulance service for the Antioch community (both Village and Township).  The Antioch Rescue Squad operates without placing a tax burden on the public and is dispatched by Cencom 911.

SOURCE Antioch Rescue Squad