Williamson County Celebrates EMS Week

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — The Williamson County Commissioners Court have proclaimed May 19-25 as EMS Week.

The week-long observance was started in 1974 to honor the work of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) practitioners and the important work they do in the nation's communities. WilCo EMS provides emergency medical services 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a cost of only approximately $2 per month for the average homeowner, county officials noted.

Officials said Williamson County EMS employs 145 people. Out of those, 128 are caregivers that provide direct patient care. These caregivers completed more than 4,300 hours of continuing medical education last year, officials added. A new hire, the county said, will complete more than 200 hours of additional education before they provide direct patient care on an ambulance.

According to the American Ambulance Association 2018 study, the average turnover for paramedics nationwide is 24 percent. Yet in Williamson County, officials noted, 35 percent of Williamson County’s EMS employees have been with the county for more than 10 years.

In addition to providing patient care, WilCo EMS is active in promoting basic first aid education in the community. County officials said medics sponsor an energetically robust Explorer Scouts Troop, which is a program that gives teens the chance to see what it takes to be a medical first responder and teaches them basic emergency care. They often use WilCo EMS simulation labs for training and are given the opportunity to ride out on ambulances with EMS paramedics.

WilCo EMS also offers several classes for the public to have basic first aid knowledge including CPR classes, Stop the Bleed, Safe Baby Academy, Basic First Aid and more. To learn more about the classes offered, go to www.wilco.org/ems.