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There is perhaps no greater moment of need for anyone than during a medical emergency.
Whether it be caused by injury or just an unexpected health condition, when we find ourselves in need of being rushed to the hospital, it can be a harrowing ordeal, especially when it's life-threatening.
Imagine dealing with people experiencing that every day as part of your job.
Then imagine volunteering to do it in your spare time while you hold down a separate full-time job.
Now consider the shortage of volunteers faced by many types of agencies, from charitable institutions to volunteer fire companies.
EMS is no different.
A number of reports in the past two decades have pointed to dwindling numbers among the ranks of EMS workers and volunteers, most recently in 2018 when a number of recommendations were made to revamp the fire and EMS systems in Pennsylvania in a Senate resolution 6 report.
The report indicated the number of active providers in the system statewide to be 17,000 -- down from estimates of over 30,000.
The report cited changing dynamics of the family unit and economic challenges families face for impacting staffing of ambulance services. Inflation and under-employment have forced many paid EMS providers to take multiple jobs at low wages to meet expenses.
"Continually rising costs for EMS personnel, benefits, vehicles, equipment, fuel, insurance utilities and facilities coupled with lack of adequate payment for services is eliminating agencies statewide," the 2018 report stated.
Does this further your understanding of why we should appreciate emergency medical workers?
That said, it seems appropriate to have a week dedicated to shining the spotlight on our EMS community and to show appreciation to those who are willing to take care of us when we need it the most.
Just imagine what our region would be like without the vital -- at times life-saving -- work these heroes do on a daily basis.
We cannot ever properly show our gratitude for these selfless individuals, but we will try.
Thank you to everyone involved with the Regional EMS Council of Lycoming, Tioga and Sullivan counties and EMS workers everywhere.
When we are most in need of help, it is you who is there to provide it.
For that, we are forever grateful.