Local EMS crews volunteered their time at Washington High School’s mock accident the week before prom last month. Photo by KCII’s Sally Y. Hart

When a call comes in during the middle of the night for a person having a medical emergency in Washington County, it’s often Emergency Medical Service staff or volunteers that are first on the scene. This week is National EMS Week and supervisor chairman Richard Young thanked local EMS for their work. He said over 90% of EMS who do it in Washington County are volunteers, they don’t get paid but do respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Young is also the director of the Washington County Ambulance and shares he has one paramedic retiring this year after 43 years, John Lynn.

EMS Week was authorized in 1974 by President Gerald Ford.