Article by Jordan Eggington – Friday 8th July 2022 – 10.00am
Today marks the first ever ‘International Paramedics Day’, to recognise and celebrate the work carried out by paramedics and first responders around the world.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, frontline responders have put the wellbeing and interests of others first, working tirelessly in the most challenging of circumstances and often at great risk to themselves. Now, for the first time, the 8th July is being dedicated to the world’s paramedics.
This date is the anniversary of the birth of Dominique-Jean Larrey, the man often referred to as the ‘father of modern-day ambulance services’. International Paramedics Day has been created, organised and run by the College of Paramedics in the UK, with support from professional paramedics’ organisations from around the world.
West Midlands Ambulance Service Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, recorded a special video message to mark the occasion, and said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the enormous contribution that paramedics make to our healthcare system in the various roles they undertake, whether it be on the frontline, in our control rooms, our Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART), as critical care paramedics, Specialist Operational Response Team (SORT) paramedics, or our next generation of paramedics who are undergoing their training.
“All of you do a great job every day, often in very difficult and challenging circumstances. But it’s not just about the paramedics, it’s also about the whole ambulance workforce including our technicians, ECAs and student paramedics.
“When I think of the enormous progress the paramedic profession has made since I underwent my training 30 odd years ago, it’s fantastic. You should be rightly proud of the skills that you are all able to perform now to such a high standard, saving lives that were previously lost.
“Please enjoy and be proud of this International Paramedic Day – it is rightly deserved. I am enormously proud of all of you and please be assured of my continued support.”