Detroit EMS celebrates 50 years in the city and 50 years of camaraderie.
Not all superheroes wear capes. Sometimes they wear uniforms and zip through a city saving the lives of countless people who they don’t mind risking their lives for.
Of the many local heroes in Detroit, the roughly 250 Detroit Emergency Medical Services (DEMS) paramedics shine bright among the bunch and they have a great reason to be proud as they are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year.
The City of Detroit celebrated the anniversary and the medics who were honored for lifesaving efforts this past May.
Mayor Mike Duggan joined Interim Fire Commissioner Charles Simms and others to celebrate the semicentennial at the Detroit Public Safety Headquarters.
The DEMS started in May of 1972 when they responded to 21,000 calls for service and last year, they responded to more than 140,000 calls.
During the celebration, several medics were honored for their brave acts of heroism and lifesaving efforts.
Chief James Harris told the Michigan Chronicle that in their first year they probably had around 20,000 runs – in their busiest times that number jumped to over 100,000 runs.
Harris said that during COVID-19 the runs were especially “crazy” because when many had opportunities to work from home and stay safe, DEMS had to run to where the danger was, which including responding to COVID-19-positive people.
“They kept working, they were asked to take on different tasks,” Harris said, adding that they stepped into the line of fire and helped where needed in brave acts recognized by many. “I, I can’t thank them enough. I can’t give them enough kudos. They’re just warriors. The men and women of Detroit EMS are some of the toughest, most knowledgeable people I know on Earth.”
The Detroit Fire Department, which houses the DEMS, leads with providing citizens and visitors of Detroit with compassionate and professional emergency medical care, according to their website. With the implementation of the Detroit Fire Department’s Medical First Responder Program, the city now has over 900 licensed individuals in the Detroit Fire Department providing care at the MFR, EMT and Paramedic level, staffing over 60 medically licensed Fire and EMS vehicles, responding to over 120,000 calls for service annually, according to their website.
Also, the Detroit Fire Department currently deploys on average 25 ambulances during peak call volume.
DEMS provides life-saving interventions under the guidance of the local medical control authority, Detroit East Medical Control Authority, DEMCA.
For more information on the current medical protocols and treatments, please visit DEMCA.org.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer also honored Michigan’s EMS heroes by recently proclaiming May 15-21 as EMS Recognition Week, which honors first responders for their lifesaving pre-hospital care.
“Michigan’s EMS Heroes step up to serve our communities every day,” said Whitmer, adding that it is important to thank the local heroes in Detroit and throughout the state for always being there “when we need it most and helping our neighbors, family and friends.
“We must also recommit ourselves to having their backs through our actions, which is why I proposed awarding $50 million in hero pay to first responders throughout the state in my budget for next year. I will work with anyone to get these bonuses enacted and deliver for our first responders in both my words and actions.”
EMS fills critical health care gaps by providing important out-of-hospital care, including preventative medicine, follow-up care and access to telemedicine. EMS agencies have played an essential role during the pandemic, reducing hospital stays by treating COVID-19 patients at home when possible.
Michigan is home to more than 28,700 EMS providers, 812 life support agencies and nearly 4,000 licensed life support vehicles, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of EMS, Trauma and Preparedness. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/ems.
Harris added that celebrating the rich legacy of Detroit’s EMS is like none other.
“We never folded. We never quit. … And we went even harder. These medics are sort of like, they’re like doctors on wheels,” he said.
Duggan said during the anniversary celebration that DEMS has grown since the time he became mayor.
“We are going to continue to put resources into this department because here is what I know, every neighborhood I go into … I’m hearing stories of how fast the ambulance has showed up. How caring the EMTs and paramedics were. Stories of how you saved their lives,” Duggan said.
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