Desert Care Network to honor local first responders during National EMS Week

A special gathering will recognize life-saving achievements of local emergency services teams during service calls this year

Desert Care Network honored the work of EMS personnel from three different agencies – Palm Springs Fire Department, Cal Fire Riverside County and American Medical Response (AMR) – for their extraordinary lifesaving efforts during emergencies that happened in the Coachella Valley this year. 

The special recognition ceremony was held at 11:30 a.m. on May 20 on the patio near the Dr. Frank Ercoli Ambulance Receiving Center, part of Desert Care Network’s celebration of National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week, May 18 – 24, which honors the work of first responders and emergency/trauma healthcare professionals for the lifesaving work they do for the community. 

Here are the rescues that will be recognized:

• Teen saved from drowning. On April 15, the Palm Springs Fire Department’s E-4B Shift and American Medical Response Unit M-114 responded to a drowning of a 15-year-old at a local hotel. A quick-thinking bystander, who works as a local Medical Assistant, had begun lifesaving CPR while awaiting the ambulance. Her rapid intervention, coupled with advanced life-saving techniques of the first responders and hospital clinical team led to the eventual full recovery of the patient. 
• Music festival rescue. On April 11,EMS personnel with AMR treated a concertgoer at a local music festival who suffered altered consciousness, possible seizure and severe hyperthermia. She received emergency treatment on site and was rapidly transported to JFK Memorial Hospital. The patient was stabilized and transported to Desert Regional Medical Center’s neuro-intensive care unit. The patient recovered and was discharged from DRMC, neurologically intact.
• Valentine’s Day car collision. The Cal Fire Riverside County Rescue Squad M88 crew responded to a high-speed, head-on motor vehicle collision on February 14—Valentine’s Day. A female passenger suffered extreme injuries, and the rescue team provided extensive treatment in the field before being transported to Desert Regional Medical Center’s Level 1 Trauma Center.

“On the 50^th anniversary of EMS week, we are pleased to recognize the exceptional efforts of these EMS and first responders who are on the front lines of healthcare,” said Mike Ditoro, CEO of Desert Regional Medical Center. “These are just a few of the many EMS workers with whom we work shoulder to shoulder each day. This week, we say “Thank You!” to all our EMS colleagues. We are honored to serve with you, and we are grateful for your efforts to keep us safe in our communities.”

President Gerald Ford first authorized EMS Week 50 years ago in 1974. EMS Week is organized nationally by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) in partnership with the National Associations of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT).