Local Ambulance Service Celebrates National EMS Week

ARCATA, CA (KIEM) – Emergency Medical Services are there when we need them and this week, we celebrate their hard work with the 45th Annual National EMS week.

Here locally, the Arcata Mad River Ambulance Service will have an ice cream party to recognize their dedication for the job. One worker has served the public since 2003. She has seen different tragedies being on the front line responding to calls, and thinks it is important for EMS workers to have their week.

“It’s important for recognition. We have a hard job. We work 24-hour shifts, [and] we’re away from our families all that time. There are days when I’m really pumped to be here. My job is really smooth and easy. And there are days that are just really hard. Either the calls are really bad or we don’t get enough to eat. We don’t get any time to sleep,” said Melanie Rowsey-McWiliams, a Paramedic at Arcata Mad River Ambulance Service.